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THE  Ll^r^^^.^^^,-^ 
PROVO,  UTAH 


^r 


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fL/^  //P^iA^  cT^'e^,  //  oy?i  l/ic  cc- 

u?\lo  /Ac  AyZ/^y/  /Aa/ J^7Y^c//i  ea/ 
aA^/Ad  /va//,'A^A?ayze  a^  o^ '  A <'/i/6j ^ 
cbnxA^'AowA,  an^  (fA^'  (y?'^£^c^^'^^ 
/Atiy?7(/,<,  a^4A{7A^^ /iyAA:<)  t  A^i?2//><  -/  ,^'5 


nt  Spe&ack  de  la  Nature  • 

o|.|  OR 

Nature  difplay'd. 

BEING 

DISCOURSES 

On  fuch  Particulars  of 

NATURAL  HISTORY 

As  were  thought  moll  proper 

To  Excite  the  CURIOSITY, 

AND 

Form  the  Minds  of  YOUTH 

Uol.    I 


Illuftrated  with  Copper  Pla 


TES. 


Tranflated   from    the    Original   French, 
By   UuHUMPHRETS. 

The  Fo  i;  R  T  H  Ed  I  T I  o  N,  Corrcded. 


L    Q  N   D    0   Ny 

'rinted  for  J.  and  J.  P  e  m  b  e  rt  o  n  in  Fleet-Jreef  l 
K.  .t<RAN_CKLiN,    in    Covent- Garden-    and 
^-  Davis,   in  Vater-mfier-roiu. 
M  Dec  XXXIX. 


THEtfBlUli^ 

BRIGHAM  YOUW^VERSnr 
PROVO,  UTAH 


TO    HIS 

Royal    Highness 

••  III 

THE 

Duke  of  Cumber  land. 


SIR, 

THE  unlverfal  Approbation 
which  the  feveral  French  E- 
ditions  of  this  Volume   have    re- 
ceived, from  Perfons  of  the  fineft 
Tafte,  furnifhed  me  with  an  In-iJ 
ducement    to    lay  the   following^ 
Tranflation.  a,t.  Your  koyal  Hi^h- 
nefe  Feet.  ■*'■  ^ 

A  %  The 


DEDICATION. 

The    amiable    Qualities,    with 
which  Nature  has  enriched  Your 
Royal  Highnefs,  have  been  fo  hap- 
pily cultivated  by  the  beft  of  Edu- 
cations,  that  I  am  perfuaded  the 
wonderful  Scenes  of  Providence, 
fo  elegantly  difplayed  in  this  Trea- 
tife,    will    not  be   confidered  by 
Your  Royal  Highnefs,  as  an  un- 
pleafmg   Entertainment,   unlets-  -i 
have  been  fo  unfortunate  as  to  ren- 
der  it  fuch,  by  a  difagreeable  Ver- 
fion. 

As  the  Mind  of  Your  Royal 
Highnefs  has  been  watered  with 
the  pureft  Streams  that  Learning 
could  difpenfe,  and  as  you  have 
long  been  habituated  to  thofe  In- 
ftitutions  which  render  a  young 
Prince  the  Darling  of  thofe  who 
have  the  Honour  to  approach  him, 


DEDICATION. 

there  is  fufficient  Reafon  to  be- 
lieve, that  any  generous  Attempt 
to  promote  ufeful  Knowledge,  and 
infpire  the  Sons  of  Men  with  Gra- 
titude to  their  great  Creator,  will 
obtain  a  favourable  Reception  from 
Your  Royal  Highnefs,  whofe  Ca- 
binet has  ever  been  inacceflible  to 
the  low  Singularities  of  Infidels 
and  Sceptics. 

The  Worthy  Author  of  the  fol- 
lowing Converfation,  has  charmed 
fo  many  of  the  politeft  Readers, 
with  his  engaging  Difplay  of  Na- 
ture, that  I  was  ambitious  of  em- 
ploying^ my  fmall  Abilities,  in 
transfufing  his  Sentiments  into  the 
Englijh  Language;  and  fhould 
Your  Royal  Highnefs  condefcend 
to  think  I  have  not  been  altogether 
unfuccefsful   in   my    Attempt,     I 

A  3  ihall 


DEB  J  CAT  I  0  N. 

fliall  then  have  the  Honour  of 
being/  indebted  to  you,  for  a  Plea- 
iure  that  will  always  be  grateful- 
ly predominant  in  the  Heart  of, 

SIR, 
Tour  Hoyal  Highmjis's 
Moji  Obedient 
'And  Mojl  Devoted, 
Humble  Servant, 


Samuel  Humphreys. 


THE 

F  R  E  F  A  C  E. 


OF  all  the  Methods  capable  of  heing  pra^ 
£fifed  with  Succefs .  for  cultivating  the 
Underflanding  of  young  Perfons ,  and  giving 
them  an  early  Habit  of  'Thinking  ;  there  are  none 
that  produces  more  fure  and  lajling  Effe^s  than 
Curiofity.  The  Defre  of  Knowledge^  is  as  na- 
tural to  us  as  Reafon^  it  exerts  itfelf  with  Force 
and  Vivacity  through  every  Stage  of  Life  ;  bu^ 
never  with  more  Efficacy  than  in  Touth^  when 
the  Mindy  being  unfurnifhed  with  Knowledge ^ 
feizesy  with  a  peculiar  Eagernefs^  on  every  Ob^ 
je5l  prefented  to  it^  reftgns  itfelf  to  the  Charms  of 
Novelty y  and  eafily  contra^ s  the  Habit  of  Refle- 
Elion  and  Attentivenefs. 

We  might  receive  all  the  Benefit  this  happy 
Difpofition  is  able  to  produce^  did  we  employ  it 
upon  Obje^s  equally  qualified  to  engage  the  Mind 
by^  PleafurCy  and  fill  it  with  clear  and  inftru- 
£iive  Ideas.  This  double  Advantage  is  to  be  at'' 
tained^  in  full  Perfeolion^  by  the  Study  of  Natures 
whether  we  conftder  her  StruSlure^  and  Affem^ 
blage  in  general^  or  take  a  Survey  of  her  Beau- 
ties in  particular.     Through  all  her  Works  Jhe 

A  4  is 


n  PREFACE.        . 

is  'qualified  to  plenfe  and  wftru^,    hecaufe  they 
ore  all  full  of  Harmony  atid  Contrivance.   All  the 
Bodies  that  fiirround  us,  the  leajl  as  well  as  the 
larzeft,  acquaint  us  with  fome  T:uth;  they  have 
all  a  Lan<ruage,    in   which  they  addrefs   them- 
felves  to  us,  and  indeed  to  us  alone.    We  learn 
fomethinz  from  their  particular  Conjhtution,  and 
their  Determination  to  a  ce  tain  End,  points  out 
the  Intention  of  the  Creator.    Ue  Relations  they 
hear  to   one  another,    as  well  as  to  us,  are  fo 
manydijlina  Voices  that  call  for  our  Attention-, 
and  which,  by  the  Counfels  they  give  us,^  reple- 
nifa  'ur  I  iv'es  with  Accommodations,  enrich  our 
Minds  with  -Trith,  and  warm  our  Hearts  with 
Gratitude.     In  a  Word,  we  may  fay,  ihat  m- 
ture  is  the  moft  learned  and  compleat  of  all  Books., 
■proper  to    cultivate  our  Reafon,  fince  Jhe  com- 
frehends  at  once,   the  Ohjc£ls  of  every  Science, 
and  never  confines  her  Inftrumons  to  any  parti- 
cular Language,  or  People. 

It  is  from  this  Book,  lying  open  to  every  Eye, 
tho'  very  little  confulted,  that  we  propofe  to  give 
an  Extras,  with  the  View  of  making  young  Fer- 
Pons  fenfrhle  what  treafures  they  poffefs  unenjoyed, 
and  to  prefent  to  their  Obfervation  thofe  things, 
that  Diftance,    Minutenefs,    or  Inattention  may 
have   concealed  from    them.     Inflcad  of  paffing 
methodically,  from  general  Maxims,  and  univer- 
fal  Ideas,  to  thofe  that  are  more  particular    we 
ihoufht   it  incumbent  on  us  to  imitate  the  Order 
of  Nature  herfelf  and  begin  with  the  firft  Ob- 
Lis  we  perceive  around  us,  and  which  are  eve- 
ry Moment  at  Hand  •,  ^^i  mean  Plants,  and  A- 


PREFACE.  iii 

nlmah.     We  have  begun  with  Animals   of  the 
fmallefi   Bulk.      From   InfeSfs,    and  diminutive 
Creatures,  cloalhed  with  Shells,    we  proceed  to 
Birds,  terreftrial  Animals,  and  Fijhes.    After  an 
Examination   of  Part  of  the  Services  they  yield 
us,    we  pafs    to  thofe  we  receive  from  Plants, 
with  an  Attempt  thro'  the  whole,  to  mix  Improve- 
ment with  Variety.     If  we  have    not    always 
confined  ourfelves  to  a  fcrupulous  Regularity,  it 
was  hecaufe  we  think  it  allowable,  in  conducing 
the  Mind  to  Truth,  to  expatiate  out  of  the  ft  rait - 
eft  Way,  when  we  find  it  too  rugged;    and  to 
ftnke  into  the  moft  agreeable  and  amufing  Track, 
if  it  equally  leads  us  to  the  Place  we  wou'd  ar- 
rive  at. 

But  as  it  is  not  fufticient  to  give  the  Mind  a 
Propenfity  to  be  inquifttive,  by  entertaining  it 
with  agreeable  Scenes,  unlefs,  we  likezvife  teach 
tt  to  be  moderate  and  cautious  in  its  Curio  pity  ■ 
we  have  concluded  this  firft  Part  with  a  'fhort 
tonfideration  of  the  juft  Prefogatives,  and  necef 
fary  Limits  of  human  Reafon,  its  great  Intereft 
conftfting  in  the  Enjoyment  of  whatever  is  accom- 
modated  to  it,  without  vainly  purfuing  what  is 
not  privileged  to  approach. 

JVehave  comprehended  all  theft  i'ljferent  Points 
not  under  the  Title  of  The  Natural  Philofophy 
ot  Childi-en  ;  which  wou'd  have  been  very  pro- 
per, had  we  only  propofed  to  improve  the  moft 
Under  Age  ;  nor  under  that  of  General  Phyfics; 
which  promifis  too  much :  Our  Dsftgn  not  being 
to  offer  any  Syjiem  in  favour  of  thofe  who  have 
made  muth  greater   Advances :     But  we  have 

•^  5  ranged 


iv  PREFACE. 

ranged  them  under  the  Title  of^  Nature  Dis- 
play'd;  which  only  implies  the  Exterior^  or 
what  ft r ike 5  the  Senfe^  and  exprejfes^  with  afuffi- 
cieni  t^xaSlnefs^  all  of  this  Clafs  that  is  granted 
to  Mankind  in  general^  is  intelligible  to  every 
Age^  and  which  no  one  can  avoid  being  acquaint- 
ed with  to  a  certain  Degree.  We  all  enjoy  Sights 
and  are  converfant  with  the  external  Part  of 
Nature.  This  View  of  it  is  for  us,  and  in  con- 
fining  ourfelves  to  it,  we,  in  every  Part,  fuffi- 
ciently  difcover  Beauty,  Inftru£fion,  and  T*ruth, 
We  are  certain  of  the  Exiftence  of  Objects  ;  we 
fee  their  Form,  we  experience  their  Goodnefs,  we 
calculate  their  Number,  we  behold  their  Proper^ 
ties  and  Relations,  their  Tendencies  and  life.  Here 
is  an  ample  Variety  of  inftru5iive  Exercife  for 
the  Mind.  Every  new  Information  is  an  additional 
Pleafure.  We  fee  our  Riches  increafing  with  our 
Difcoveries,  and  the  View  of  fo  many  Benefa- 
ctions muft  needs  bamfh  Ingratitude  and  Indif 
-  ference  from  our  Hearts.  But  if  we  defire  to 
fathom  the  very  Depths  of  Nature,  to  trace  Ef- 
fe£fs  up  to  their  particular  Caufes,  and  compre- 
hend the  Curiofty  and  elaftic  Play  of  every  fecret 
Spring,  as  well  as  the  minuteji  Element  that 
compofe  them,  this  is  an  arduous  Attempt,  the 
Succefs  of  zvhich  is  very  uncertain,  and  we  leave 
it  to  thofe  tranfcendent  Geniufes  who  are  per- 
?hitted  to  behold  and  enter  into  thofe  Myft cries. 
I  ir  our  Part,  we  think  it  better  becomes  us  to 
content  ourfelves  with  the  exterior  Decoration  of 
the  Worlds  and  the  Effe^  of  thofe  Machines  \ 
which  copjiitute  the  Profpe^.     Here   we  have 

Accefsy 


PREFACE.  V 

Accefs^  and  may  even  fee^  that  it  was  arrayed 
with  fo  much  Splendor^  in  order  to  excite  our 
CuriofUy.  But  then^  fatisfied  with  a  Purvey  that 
abundantly  fills  our  Senfes  and  Imagination^  it  is 
not  necejfary  we  Jhould  require  the  fecret  Pavi- 
lion of  thefe  Machines  to  he  unfolded  to  our  View. 
In  a  Word^  His  our  Province  to  felecl^  out  of 
the  Scene  of  Nature^  all  that  can  give  us  lively 
Imprejfions^  and  exercife  our  Reafon  to  Advan- 
tage^ without  ever  touching  upon  thofe  Points 
which  feem  above  the  Reach  of  that  Faculty^  or 
even  upon  thofe  that  would  eafily  weary  its  Ef- 
forts, 

As  to  the  Model  of  the  Work^  we  have  en- 
deavoured  to  exclude  from  it  whatever  might 
feem  difagreeable  \  and  injlead  of  methodical  Bif 
courfes^  or  a  Chain  of  Dijfertations^  that  fre- 
quently fatiate  and  difguft ;  we  have  chofen  the 
Style  of  Dialogue,,  as  moft  natural^  and  pro- 
per to  engage  all  Sorts  of  Readers, 

Our  firji  thought,  in  the  Choice  of  Interlocu- 
tors,, was  to  have  introduced  fome  celebrated  Cha- 
ra£fers.  It  gives  one  a  fenfible  Pleafure  to  fee 
great  Men  revive  in  Dialogue,,  and  by  an  agree- 
able Allufion,,  we  imagine  ourfelves  Sharers  in 
their  Converfation,,  and  are  inter efled  in  what  we 
believe  we  hear.  But  it  is  eafy  to  obferve^  how  in- 
confiftent  fuch  a  Choice  would  have  been  with  the 
Defign  we  propofe  to  purfue.  Had  we  intended 
to  eflablifh  Maxims  for  the  Regulation  of  Beha- 
viour^ or  to  criticife  the  Imperfemons  of  Man- 
kind, we  might,  with  Succefs,  have  borrowed 
from  Hijiory^  a  Set  of  Names  well  known,  and 

A  6  proper 


vi  PREFACE. 

proper  to  render   the  Difcourfe  more  important. 
Thefe    Perjonages   would  be  as  entertaining    in 
Dialogue^  as  they  are  in  the  theatrical  Reprefen- 
tations^   in  proportion  to  the   Conformity  of  their 
Charaf^ers  and  Seniiments    to    the  Account  we 
find  of  them  in  Hijiory.     But  the  Cafe  is  not  the 
fame^  in  Points  of  Invefligation  and  Philofophy. 
^Tis  a  very  dangerous  AUempt^  to  give  Lan- 
guage to  Des  Cartes,  Malbranche,  or  Newton, 
and   to  lend    thefe  great   Men  their  Ideas  and 
Views,  ^Tis  eafy  to  declare,   that  zve  are  prepar- 
ing to  introduce  Gcifkndi  and  Rohault ;  or^    in 
other  Words,  that  we  are   attempting  to  revive 
their  Knowledge^    Sentiments^     and    Chara5fers. 
But  how  can  one  be  pun£lual  to  fuch  a  Promife  ? 
To  thinks   and  fpeak  like  them^  we  mufi  be  what 
they  themfelves  were,     Befides,    they  are  Perfons 
who  are  not  eafily  accommodated  to  the  Level  of 
all  Sorts  of  Readers.     Their  Conferences  muft  be 
fublime,  and  have  the  Air  of  perpetual  Dijfer- 
tations^  in  order  to  preferve  their  due  Similitude. 
IVe  fhoiCd  Hkewife  gain  no  extraordinary  Pointy 
if  we  brought  together  fome  of  our  mofl  celebrated 
Obfervers  \    andj   I  am  afraid^  that  Aldrovan- 
dus  and  Goedaert,  Malpighi  and  Grew,  Leeu- 
wenhoek,  ^;;^Swammerdam,  would  not  bepro^ 
fer  Perfons  to  prefent  to  the  Reader.      As  valu- 
able as  thefe  Authors  may  be.,  their  Names  alone 
would  not  conftitute  the  Succefs  of  a   Dialogue  \ 
whereas  thofe  Characters  vMch  are  lefs   confpi- 
euous^  will  always  make  themfelves  known  and 
Telifljed^  if  what  thj  advance  be  prof  table  and 
eorrefpondent  to  Nature. 

^^  After 


PREFACE.  vii 

After  allj  as  our  Intention  is  only  to  entertain 
the  Minds  of  young  People  with  a  free  Con* 
verfation^  fuited  to  their  Abilities^  without  per- 
plexing them  with  Characters  too  flrongly  mark- 
ed ^  or  indulging  a  Vein  of  Pleafantry  that 
would  have  too  much  the  Air  of  a  "Theatre^  we 
judged  it  proper^  without  much  Parade^  and  as 
it  likewife  appeared  mofl  natural^  to  chufe  the 
Country  for  a  Scene  of  Dialogue  on  theHiftory 
of  Nature  ;  and^  in  order  to  introduce  or  vary 
the  SuhjeEl^  it  feemed  neceffary  to  fix  on  Per^ 
fonages  of  different  Conditions^  fome  of  whom 
might  furnifh  out  Converfation  from  their 
Knowledge  and  Experience^  and  others  render  it 
engaging  by  their  Curiofity. 

Befide  this^     there   is  a   greater  Advantage 

than  at  firfi  may  be  imagined^    in  throwing   the 

Sciences  into  the  Difcourfe  of  polite  People  who 

are  converfant  with  the  Worlds  fuch  as  Chance 

every  Day  affembles^  and  fuch  as  Friend^fhip^  or 

a  Si/nilitude  of  Tafte  feleCls.       And  thd"   thefe 

CharaBers  give  us^    at  firfi^     lefs  favourable 

Preventions    than    we    receive  from  illuflrious 

Names^  yet^   in  the  Events  we  accominodate  our- 

felves  to   them  the  better^    becaufe  our  Faculties 

need  not  make  any  extraordinary  Efforts  to  un- 

derftand  and  folloiv  them.     Whatever  they  fay^ 

that  appears  curious  and  new^    affeSls  us  with 

fironger  Impreffions.     We  find  ourfelves  touched 

with  an  agreeable  Pride,    to   hear  fuch  Things 

from  our  Equals  :  and,  whilfl  we  give  them  our 

Attention,  fancy  we  are  capable  of  thinking  and 

amufing  ourfelves  as  rationally  as  they  ;  ■  and  the 

fecret  Approbjtion    we    afford  them^     infenfibly 

becomes 


vui  PREFACE. 

becomes  a   natural  Allurement  to  imitate  them. 
Thefe  are  the  Conftderatiom  that  have  regulated 

our  Choice.  n   n      u  .1 

A  Touth  of  ^ality,  whom  we  Jhall  call  the 
Chevalier  du  Breuil,  w  /^^  Vacation  from  his 
College  Studies,  and  at  a  Time  when  his  Bather 
bad  taken  a  Journey,  to  make  an  advantageous 
Provifion  for  his  eldeSi  Son,  pays  a  Vifit,  in  the 
Country,  to  a  Gentleman  who  was  one  of  their 
intimate  Friends ,  and  who  employs,  in  the 
Study  of  Nature,  the  Abundance  of  Leifure  he 

enjoys.  ,      •     i    r- 

The  Count  de  Jonval,  for  that  ts  the  Gen- 
tleman's Name,    difcovering    an    extraordinary 
Penetration   and   Vivacity    in  the  Son    of    his 
Friend,    endeavours  to  cultivate  m  his  Mmd  the 
Rudiments    of  a  good  Tafte,    and  a  Philofophy 
that  Jhould  always  prove  advantageous  to  hm. 
He  affociates  into  their  Converfations,  the  Prior- 
Curate  of  the  Place,    a  Man   valuable  for  his 
Knowledge,  and  one  whom  a  long  Share  of  Pie- 
ty and  Politenefi  had  rendered  fill  ?nore  enga- 
ging.    And  as  the  Subjects  of    their  Amufement 
were  fome   of    the   moft    common  Occurrences, 
which  were  no   way  neceffary  to    be   illufirated 
by  learned  Difputations,    the  Countess  had  an 
Inclination  to  increafe  the  Company.      All   the 
Remarks  the  young  Gentleman  hears  on  Things 
which  he  had  till  then  beheld  with  Inattention, 
are  entirely  new  to  him,    and  he  never  fails,   at 
his  Return  from  Hunting    or  .  Fifhing  ,     with 
which  the  Day  clofes,    to  commit  to  JVritwg  all 
be  can   remember   of  the  Converfation;    after 

which 


PREFACE.  ix 

which  he  gives  his  Journal  to  the  Prior ^  for  his 
Revifal  and  Correction.  "The  Reader  may  fup- 
fofe^  that  this  Journal  of  their  Conference^  fo 
modelled  and  retouched^  is  what  we  now  offer  to 
the  Puhlick. 

If  thefe  Amufements  or  Studies^  in  vacant 
Hours^  have  the  good  Fortune  to  he  pleaftng  to 
Touthy  and  ejpecially  to  the  Touth  of  our  No- 
hility,  who,  as  they  are  frequently  in  the  Coun- 
try^ are  more  converfant  with  natural  Curiofi- 
ties-,  we  may  hereafter  renew  thefe  Entertain- 
ments,  and  endeavour^  to  the  utmofi  of  our  Ahi- 
lity^  to  fubftitute  a  Tafte  for  amiable  Nature 
and  Truth,  in  the  place  of  the  falfe  Marvellous 
of  Fable  and  Romance,  that  now  revives  in  an 
hundred  new  Forms,  notwithjtanding  the  De- 
clenfton  it  was  reduced  to  by  the  good  Tajie  of 
the  laji  Age. 

What  Labour  foever  we  have  been  at  to  be 
informed,  either  by  our  own  Diligence,  or  the 
Friends  we  could  confide  in,  of  mofi  of  the  Re- 
marks on  Nature  advanced  in  thefe  Converfa- 
tions ;  we  have  fill  been  careful  to  cite,  in  the 
Margin  ofeveryDikhOGvv.,  the  ?noJl  celebrated 
Authors,  who  have  made  the  like  Obfervations, 
We  did  not  think  it  neceffary  to  make  ufe  of 
what  the  Ancients  have  publifhed  upon  fome  of 
thefe  Articles,  too  often  with  more  Credulity 
than  Exa5fnefs\  but  the  Reader  will  be  more 
difpofed  to  relijh  what  he  finds  warranted  by 
the  Tejiimony  of  modern  Obfervers,  who  have 
gained  univerfal  Reputation  by  their  Accuracy 
and  Circumfpe^ion. 

The 


X  PREFACE. 

The  Works  to  zohich  we  have  had  chief  Re- 
courfe^  for  our  own  Information^  and  to  juflify 
our  Remarks^  are  the  excellent  Hiftory  and 
Memoirs  of  the  Academy  of  Sciences-,  the 
Philofophical  Tranfaftions  of  the  Royal  So- 
ciety at  London  abridged  by  Lowthorp  •,  the 
Tra^sof  Malphigi,  Redi,  Willoughby,  Leeu- 
wenhoek,  Grew,  Nieuwentit,  Dcrham,  Val- 
lifneri,  ^c. 

As  we  have  been  foUcitous  to  interfperfe^    in 
the  fecond  and    third    Volumes   of    this   JVork^ 
thofe  Illuftrations  ^    which  fome  PaJJages  in  the 
firfi  may  require^    thofe    who   have    pttrchafed 
the  fecond  Edition   of  this ,    will  have   no   Oc- 
cafion  to  buy  the  third.     We  acknowledge^  indeed^ 
that^    heftde  thefe   necejfary  Improvements  and 
Corrections^    we  have  changed  fome  particular 
Expreffions^    hut  they  relate  only  to  fuch  Points^ 
wherein  any  former  Miflakes  can  neither  be  pre- 
judicial or  degrading.  Having  founds  for  Inflame.^ 
in  taking  the  Shell  of  a  Lion-Pifmire  to  Pieces^ 
that  the  Particles    of  Sand    which    compofe   it^ 
are  not  confolidated  together^   but  were  fufpen- 
ded  by  fmall  Fibres  of  Silk ,     like  the  Beads  of 
a  Chaplet  -,     we  thought    it    proper   to  obferve^ 
that  thefe   Infers.,    as  well    as  fome  Species    of 
Caterpillars^  that  are  preparing  to  divcjl  them 
f elves   of    their   lafl  Skins.,    in   order  to  afjume 
the  Form  of  Aurelia's^    cover  thernfelves    with 
a  Surface  of  Sand^    not  by  glewing  the  Grains 
of  it  together.,  by  an  Exhalation  cf  Sweat.,   hut 
rather  by  uniting  them  with  a   vtfcous    Thread. 
Eight  or  ten  Remarks  of  this  Nature  are  not  of 
any  confiderable  Confequence  ^    and   add  no    ex- 

traordinary 


PREFACE.  xi 

traordinary  Merit  to  a  Book.  We  have^  however ^^ 
inferted  them^  that  we  might  endeavour  to  be  as 
accurate  as  poJJible\  but  have  alvjays  been 
cautious  not  to  lengthen^  or  multiply  fuch 
Additions^  fmce  a  Profufwn  of  them  would 
have  appeared^  to  many  of  our  Readers^ 
rather  perplexing  ^  than  explanatory  or  im^ 
proving. 

JVhen    we   write   for    the  Learned^     ws 
need  not    be    apprehenfive    of    degrading  our-' 
felves    in    their    Opinion^     by  the    Minutenefs 
of  the  Subjects    we  conftder  \     nor  of  trefpaf 
fing  upon  their  Patience^    by  the  Length  of  the 
Dtfqutfitions^    in  which  we  engager    ^ruth^   in 
all  its  Forms^    is    dear  to  fuch  Perfons^     and 
every   new  Difcovery  is  fare   to    obtain    their 
EJleem.      Readers  of  this  Clafs^    will  undoubt- 
edly be   pleafed    with  the  Natural  Hijlory  of 
InfeEls^  the  firji  Volume  of  which  has  been  late* 
ly  publifhed  by  Monfteur  de  Reaumur.     They 
will  there  find  exa£l  Divifions^  and  the  moji  in* 
conftderaMe  Diverfities   peculiar  to  each  Species. 
The  Anatomy  of   Infe£ls^     with   their  Changes 
and  Operations^    are  there  treated  with  a  Per- 
fpicuity^    Copioufnefs^      and    Penetration^     that 
leave   nothing   unexplained.      But    the  Readers 
for  whofe  Improvement  we  were  follicitous^  are 
far  from  expelling   this  Method  from    us :    On 
the  contrary^  if  this  fmall  Work  has  obtained  a 
favourable     Reception  from   the    Public^     that 
Happinefs   refults  from   the   Accommodation    of 
Materials  to  the  Capacity  of  young    Perfons^ 
and   chiefly  from  the  Preference  we  have  con* 

ftantly 


xii  PREFACE. 

Jlantly  given  to  fuch  Particulars^    as  could  ei- 
ther .  touch  or  inftruEi   them^     with  relation  to 
what  would  otherwife  have  proved   a  cold  and 
unproduElive  Branch    of  Knowledge.     We  may 
addy    that    the  Advantage   which    arifes  from 
this  'Precaution^    is  not  to   he  limited  to  Touih 
alone ^  fince  P erf ons  of  all  Ages   and  States  of 
Life^  are  deftrous  of  being  affected  with  pleafing 
Imprejftons^    and    to    have    their    Imaginations 
filed   with  the  Wonders  which    are  confiantly 
exhibited  around  us  by  the  Deity ^'  in  the  leaft  as 
we/ I  as  the  largeji  ObjeSls.     "fhe  mojl  inconftde- 
rahle  Parts    of  Nature  may^    by  thefe  Means 
acquire  an  Air  of  Dignity  and  Spirit^  and  when 
they  can  once  be  rendered  engaging^    we  regard 
them    with  Attention    and    Complacency:    But 
they  woidd  immediately  fhrink  into  their  origin 
rial  Mimtenefs^  and  appear  more  defpicaUe  than 
ever^  to  the  Generality  of  Readers ^  fhould  they  ^ 
make  them  the  Subj£^s  of  a  long  and  dry  Series 
of  Study.      Had  we  proceeded    in   this  "Tracks 
our  Book  would    have   been   rejeSied  with  this 
Reproach^    that  we  treated  the    inconftderable 
Miniature  of  Nature  in   a  fcientific  Manner, 
^his  Cenfure  we  were  unwilling  to  incur^    and 
have  therefore  been    careful  not  to   croud    this 
Edition^    any  more  than  the  former^     with   a 
Multitude  of  Particulars^    efpecially  in   the  Ar- 
ticle of  InfeEls  ;    and  if   this  Edition  fhould   be 
thought  preferable  to   the  preceding^    it  may  pof 
ftbly    owe   that  Merit    to    fome   Retrenchments 
that   have    been    made    in    more  Places    than 

o^e. 

As 


\ 


P  R  E  F  A  L  E.  xiii 

Js  to  thofe  Plates  that  were  either  too  much 
worUy  or  infufficient  for  our  Purpofe  in  any 
ither  Particular^  it  has  leen  thought  neceffary  to 
^ubjtitute  new  ones  in  their  Jiead.  Such  for  In- 
Unce^  are  the  Solomon  in  the  Frontifpiece^  'en- 
rraven  ly  Monfieur  Cochin-,  the  Papilio^s  of 
bay,  and  thofe  of  Night,  engraven  hy  Madam 
oochin  •,  the  large  JVafp's  ISIeJt  taken  from  Na- 
ture, by  the  fame  Hand  -,  to  which  we  may  add^ 
\he  Gnats  and  other  Infers ;  together  with  the 
mncipal  Species  of  Fifh  and  amphibious  Animals^ 
&c.  T^hofe  who  are  defirous  of  inferting  them  in 
\he  former  Editions  of  Ms  Work,  may  pur  chafe  j 
them  of  the  Bookfellers  at  a  very  moderate  Eoc- 
pence,  which  tbefe  Plates  have  unavoidablj 
tccaftoned. 


ne 


[  xiv  } 


,*i 


T:he  Explanation     of     the 

Plates. 

A.  nP^E  SiikAVorm.  B.  The  Head.  i.  The  Eyes. 
I  2.  The  Mouth  and  Spinners.  C.  One  of  the 
hinder  Feet,  D.  One  of  the  fore  Feet.  E  the  Hooks 
of  the  Claws  reprefented  larger.  F.  The  Cone  ot  bilk. 
G.  The  fame  laid  open,  H.  The  Bean  I.  The  Spoils 
of  the  Worm.      K.  The  Butterfly  coming    out  of    its 

Chry  falls. 

Page  57. 
A .  The  Garden  Spider,      i .  I^he  Legs.      2 .  The  Arms. 
3.  The  Eyes  and  Claws,  or  Pincers.      B.  The  Eyes  and 
Claws  at  large.     C.  A  larger  Delineation  of  the  Eyes  and 
Claws :   one  of  which  Ciaws  is  at  reft,   and  bent  among 
feveral  Points,    the  other  extended,     c.  The  ^^^^le  -Ap^^"  ^ 
tare  thro'  which  the  Spider  ejefts  her  Poifon  into  the  Wound 
D.  The  Extremity  of   the   Leg  with    its  Hairs,    its  two 
hooked  Claws,    in  the  Form   of  Saws,    its  two  Sponges, 
and  a  Spur  projedling  out  on  one  Side.      E.  The  wander- 
ing Spider  with  her  two  Tufts  of  Feathers.      F.  The  Anus, 
and  Duggs.     G.  The  Duggs  of  different  Sorts  of  Spiders. 
H.  Several  Threads  which    all   together    form   but   one. 
I.  The  Repofitories  of  the  Matter  out  of  which  the  Thread 

is  formed. 

Page  72. 
A    The  Mule  Wafp.     B.  The  Male.     C.  The  Female. 
D.  The  Head  of  the  Wafp.     E.  The  Antennae,  or  Horns. 
F.  The  Saws  at  reft.    G.  The  Saws  unfolded  ^^^^^^^ 


Explanation  of  the  Plates.         xv 

^I.  The  Trunk  open.     L  The  Chryfalis.     JC.  Tke  young 
Wafp    almoit  Ibiflitvl. 

Page  86. 
A.  'iiie  Queen  Bee.  B.  The  Drone.  C.  The  com- 
Hon  Bee.  r/  1  he  fore  Part  of  the  Head.  dd.  The 
[aws,  and  the  Socket  of  the  Trunk.  E.  The  Trunk  for 
xtradiog  Honey  from  Flowers,  i,  i.  The  two  Branches 
:hac  reft  on  the  Trunk.  2.  The  two  Branches  that  em- 
)raceand  enfold  the  whole.  ,3.  The  Joint  or  Fold  of  the 
frunk.  F.  The  Paw  filled  with  Wax.  G.  The  Extre- 
Qity  of  the  Paw,  with  its  Hairs,  Hooks  and  Sponges. 
I.  The  Sting.  4  The  Sheath.  5.  The  Darts  with 
heir  Fibres,  6.  Drops  of  Poifon  flowing  into  the  Wound. 
.  A  fide  View  of  the  Cells  at  their  Opening.  K.  The 
;^ells  reverfed.  L.  The  Situation  of  the  Egg  at  the  Bot- 
om  of  the  Cell.  M.  The  young  Worm.  N.  The 
\^orm  -changed  into  a  Chryfalis.  O.  The  Chryfalis 
o  the  Point x)f  its  Transformation  into  a  Fly. 

Fage  123. 

Gnats  and  other  InfeSls* 

A.  The  Chryfalis  produced  by  an  Aquatick  Worm. 
a)  The  Tail  lucubrated  with  Oil,  and  relting  on  the 
urface  of  the  Water,  while  the  Chryfalis  rears  its  Head 
ito  the  Air,  or  keeps  it  fufpended  in  the  Water.  B.  The 
Jnat,  fprung  from  that  Chryfalis,  which  before  enclofed 
:,  (OTheHea>  and  fmall  Plumage.  2.  The  Antenna, 
r  Horns.  3.  The  Trunk  that  unfheaths  the  two  Darts. 
L  The  Shedch  from  whence  the  Darts  are  launched 
brough  a  lateral  Overture.  4,  5,  6,  7.  Different  Forms  of 
)arts,  which  are  either  all  fliot  out  at  the  fame  time, 
r  feparately.  The  whole  appears  in  the  Magnitude  ex- 
ibited  in  a  Microlcrope.  C.  The  Dragon  Fly  magni- 
ed.  D.  The  twp  Eyes  of  the  Infed.  E.  A  Mite  as  it 
ppears  in  a  Microfcope.  F.  A  Pifmire  magnified, 
r.  1  he  Mole  Cricket,  in  its  natural  Dimenfions,  and 
•om  under  vvhofe  fcaly  Coat  two  little  Wings  are  ex- 
sinddd  This  kind  of  Tail,  which  extends  to  the  Ex- 
'emtty,  ^re  cwo  otner  Wings  folded  up.  H.  A  Flea  as 
,^^^T^  ixi  a  Microfcope.     (a)  The  three  Points  which 

rife 


j^vi  Explanation  of  the  Vhtc&. 

(c)  The  Hgg  °'  ^  ,  fnrinesfrom  it.  e  The  Worm 
^h  ch  contains  the  Flea^  Jhich  perform^  the  Funftion  of 
f  sis  in  whJh  the  tws  If  the  enfolded  Flea  are 
vifibleVl  Forn,ation  which  is  fo^  analogous  to  «»any 

£:;   -d  fo  reg«l.  i^^^^^^^ 

Z^^Sr^^oftrW^s  Z  4a4d  out  and  conv-^ 
pleated  by  a  wife  Defign. 

Page  131. 
A    The  Lion-Pifmire  larger  than  tl>e  Life.     B  The 
T;^"pifmirehidintheSand  at  the  Bottom  of  his  Ditch, 
Lion-Pifmiremam  ^^^^^  ^^^  regammg 

*e  Lion-Pifmi-.  »  «ha»|«l  '"»  »  C  hryfeh^  ^J^^ 

kind  of  Nymph. 

F«g-^  142. 

A  A  Snail.  B.  The  little  Shell  as  it  comes  out  of  the. 
Egg'  C.  The  Collar  and  mufculous  Skm  by  the  Ak^  ofr 
whkh  the  Snail  marches  forwards.  _  D.  His  four  lelef-> 
SiesE.  Several  Fraftures  m.de  in  divers  Snails,  and; 
SS  have  been  repaired  by  their  Sweat.  F.  Several. 
Shell  Fiftiwhofe  Channels,  Protuberances,  and  Spots,, 
correfpond  to  the  Channels,  Tumours,  and  different  Per^. 
Eons  of  the  Body,  which  forms  them  by  fucceflive, 
Advances  of  Growth. 

Page  252.  .  ,   - 

A     A  Rpan  laid  open.      I  •  The  two  Lobes  containing 


Explanation  ^ //^^  Plates  xv'n 

afcend  by  meeting  with.fome  hard  Body,    and  then  turn- 
ing downwards  to  the  Earth;,  as  it  is  feen  in  E     F  The 
Bud  of  a  Gdurd,  as  it  appears  through  a  Microfcope  on  the 
Top  of  the  Kernel.     5.  Thefeminal  Leaves  dapped  toee- 
ther,   and  «)ntaining  the  little   Plant.       6.  The    little 
Root.     7.  The  feminal  Leaves  and  little  Root  beainning- 
to  grow  in  the  Seed.     8.  The  feminal  Leaves  fptoutinf 
out  of  the  Earth.     9.  The  Root  fortified  and  extendini 
Its  Fibres  m  the  Earth.      10;  The  little  Plant  beginning  tS 
flioot  out  Its  proper  Leaves  from  between  the  twp  femi- 
nal  Leaves;    one  of  which  is  bent  down  in  1 1 .'    G   The 
Kernal  of  an  Orange  which  contained    two  Buds,'    and 
has  fliof  forth  two  Stems.  i2.The  feminal  Leaves.    13    The 
Lobes  of  the  Kernel  which    are  become  ufelefs,  and  are 
rotten  in  the  Earth.  >      .     ^^c 

Page  2^4.. 

i,^u  ^^"^  ^'^'^^  °^  '^^  '^°°^-  B-  The  Mefhes  thro' 
r  $u  D^  ^°""iV°f  '}^  UtricuU;,,  or  little  Bags  pafs. 
t.  The  Rounds  of  httle  Bags  placed  horizontally.  D  The 
nnrJ'TV  f'^yi.^'^Pty'  of  an  equal  Bignefs,  and  com- 
poied  of  fpira  Fibres.  E.  Tranfverfe  Fibres,  which 
make  the  Wood  hard  to  fplit,  and  terminate  in  the  Knots. 
tl  ^'^''.^"^  the  Pedicles  of  the  Leaves  and  Fruits,  f! 
The  Trunk  of  a  young  Tree  of  two  Vears  Growth  cut  ho- 
rizontally.     ,    The    Epiderms.      2.  The  grofs    Bark. 

thrift  v"'  ^^*-  ^u^- J'^'/'PPy  P^^^'  °^  file  Wood  of 
the  laft  Year.     5.  The  Wood  of  the  firft.     6.  The  Utri- 

r«/;  of  the  Pith  7.  The  i7/„W/ that  go  from  the  Bark 
to  the  Pith.  G.  Part  of  the  Infide  o?  a  Vine-Branch 
cut  horizontally,  and  Ihewing  the  Orifices  of  the  Veffels 
from  one  fide  of  the  Bark  to  the  Pith.  8.  The  Place  of  the 
Bark  which  IS  taken  away.  9.  The  three  Rows  of  Utri- 
ZVhvl  r^'J'f  f^J°  '^^  ^''^-  '°-  Tiie  third  ends  in 
£Jth."^K  t'^^'^^'^r-  '°-  The  ://W/ of  the  Pith, 
•arger  than  the  horizontal  ones.  1 1.  The  Orifices  of  the 
Vellelscut.  which  are  the  Fibres,  the  proper  VelTels,  and 
Ae^Air- vents;  the  largeft  Openings  are  thofe  of  th;Air- 

,   ^        •  Page   273., 

,  '.  r^  ^^^f  P'^"'ed  on  a  Level.  2.  A  right  Angle. 
3.  A  Free  planted  on  a  Declivity.     4.  An  acute  An|le, 


xvUi         Explanation  of  iheVhtt%. 

?:SSe:vetf\rFlower.     Ahe  Piftil.    the  Top 
orwhich  is  alongPipe.   and  its  Bottom  ,„  the  Heart  of 
the  Flower  is  a  Capfule  containing   the  Seed       3     fhe 
Tons  containing  a  refinous  Duft,   they  are  fu  tamed  by 
S^ThTeadsTlhieves.     B.  The  Tulip,  with  its  Ch.eves 
higher  than  the  Piftil.     C.  The  Crown  hnpenal.    4-  The 
tL      <;.  The  Piftils  longer  than  the  Chieves.     D.  The 
LUlv    with  its  Piftil  longer  than  the  Chieves      E.  One  of 
AePiftHs  that  cover  the^Bottom  of   the  Sunflower,    con- 
tahiine  one  Seed  towards  the  Bottom.      6    A  brown  Bag 
fuWa  yellow  Duil.     7-  The  Tube  of  the  M.!  perfo- 
Sttd  with  feveral  little  Holes.      8.  Part  of  the  little  Bell 
that  encompaffes  the  Bottom  of  the  brown  Bag;    this  Fi- 
gure fhews  it  as  it  is  by  a  Microfcope, 

All  the  Fef chare  htrt  rtpreftnted larger  than  Nature. 


INSECTS. 


( I ) 


I  N  S  E  C   T  S. 


Dialogue.     I. 

The  Count  de  J o  n  v  a  l. 
The  Prior  de  J o  n  v  a  l. 

The  Chevalier  du  B  R  e  u  i  l. 


I 


'ouni.  "^J^F  we  intend  to  take  our  ufual  WalJc,  It  is 
time  to  prepare  for  it.  It  grows  late :  Let  us 
be  gone. 

Che^valier,  Here's  the  Pno7'  come  very  fea- 
)nably  to  make  one  of  the  Party. 
Prior.  Gentlemen,  I  invite  you  to  take  the  Air,  -and 
mufe  yourfelves  in  the  Garden  :  we  mufl  turn  the  Cheva- 
er  out  of  this  Clofet,  where  I  always  find  him.  Would 
:'t  one  be  apt  to  fay,  it  was  fome  Poll  given  him  to  make 
3od? 

Che-valier,  I  am  always  uneafy  to  leave  it :  The  Count 
IS  filled  this,  and  tlie  two  next  Apartments,  with  fo  many 
uriofities,  that  one  can  never  be  tired  with  beholding 
em.  ^ 

CQunt,  Do  you  think  fo,  Sir?  No:  P^;/^,  from  whence 
)u  come,  is  the  Place  where  you  mufl  look  for  Objeds  to 
eafe  your  Eyes :  Here  you  will  meet  with  nothing  but 
ain  Nature. 

Chevalier.  She  is  a  thoufand  times  more  engaging  than 
[  the  Glitter  and  Gildings  of  Faris,     We  are"foon  weary 

feeing  always  the  fame  things,  but  here  is  a  rurpnVing 
anety  :  I  believe,  there  is  nothing  brought  from  t\\^  four 
uarters  of   tiie  World,    but  vWxat  may  be   ftcn  in   this 

B  Place. 


2  DIALOGUE    I. 

PWce     The  Count  among  other  Things,  muft.  needs  Jiave 

^°TtT\v'eT;  Perfon  has  a  particular  Manner  of  thinking: 

)  our  /\ge  ^'^  ,  .    ^  objeas  as  Butterflies,  and  bilk- 

tainments,  for  Eyes  1'^^  y°"f;^   ,  acoualrted  with  the 

Cl...ner.  Smce  g^"£-f  f,  ,'^f:erar^^^^^^  Things , 
Lfe  f -^g^^tetn^e'g^'ad  of  a  Fly  is  covered  with  Flow- 
,n  Infeas^  ^'^.^  the  Wine  of  a  Gnat,  which,  at  the 
rrs  and  Diamonds  ^1^^/^  ,"S  ^^  ^  ^nd  feems  defti- 
firft  View    looks  hke  a  fmdl  -J  "e JJag,    .^         ^^^^^^^^ 

,me  of  all  manner  of  Be^"^)''  '"^P^^^' '  ^^^  g^iows  like  a 
S  -rr  ^i'  ^/irrbre^f^ 'Sf'l  SveLammed  all 
,,e  .eft  with  the  fame  Exaanefs^^  a  Man  of  Singularity.. 
Uu>  .    iO"  J^^"5"  '  J  ,vith  any  one  who  amufes 

Bat  tell  me     Jr,  do  >oa  m^J  Y?  We  Lmmonly  deRroy. 

himfelf  with  the  Study  of  InleC  }    .^^^^^^ 

unfadr.onable  Model,      ioe^  V  ^^^^^  ^^j^j^  ,1,^ 

ing  to  the  gay  Tafte  a  W^"  f  »"J  ^^^  his  Choice  of  a 
Blurry  of  Pans,  'l^.f  "P,^ '^letl  oT'AUention,  and  not 
raining  Equ.pagc  witn  a  S^^^'Jf^J-^^  Snuff-Box ;  the 
forget  the  Accompbfhment  ,f  ^  P^J"^'";„  ,he  Articles  of 
M|rning  muft  be  ^^V^li^^^^S^.'^l^^^ ^^  difpatched, 
r,  Collation,  and,  wUen  tnat  i    i  .        j^^ 

I^  muft  pafs  the  reit  of  the  Day  m  ViUts,  y 


X 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  3 

ntD::3!^j^irH^'f  ^^''  °'  ^/.^p"^'  ^^^^  ^^^  f^- 

!    r.    n      1  ,    Harlequin  at  a  Fair.     Thefe  are  vr>nr 

for  Tnlianrp     f\^f^  c:.,.,a       ••"' ^  ^^^t:  s  iJeugiit;  to  examine, 
vnnfin^r        u-^'       '  ^^^^at  do  you  think  of  this?  Dor't 

enchants  me,    and  I  find  nw  Pleafures  in  ,V  .         ?!"'^ 
even  with  refpeft  to  the  minuteft  ObjeSs        et  uTL^P'' 
gm  wnh  farveying  thofe  immenfe  G  obes  of  F le  thT/    n 
above  us,  nor  this  Earth  which  unfolds  f^Lnv U  '  r '°" 
o  our  V.ew.     Let  us  firft  confider  the  fmal       ^  ^''''^''■" 
l^ft  Objeas,    we  may  afterwards  afcend  by        t,      r^  r 
Degrees.     The  Scene   we  behold  is  irZ     ofSwf^'^" 
mngnificent,     but    that    which    ouJ  vTew     °'*''''°^'" 
cannot  take  in  at  once    we  may  divide  and  enjoy  by  Parts 
,  Y^  ."I'^'g?  ^"^  '^^^^  I"''e'Ss,  fo  much    ^    ^ 
-oKVr'  ^"'^^-'^-hyouarefo     Infea. 
pnd  ot.      I  affure  you,    they  infinitely  de- 

>y  a  hundred  CuriofuieTl  obfe've  in  hem^'"rf  r^  "n"-" 
bd  not  think  it  unworthy  of  hiSf  to  Create  te«  "-^ 
'eneath  us  to  confider  fh^m  >    p  .     i.  '"^'"'  '*  f' 

>i  a  nearer  Vie?v  ft.  ^  4  "^  -"^e"  we  examine  tliem 
'ilhmen  hS  therst  h"  f"i^«  Matter  of  Alb- 
.miliar  to  oufobferva'tio.^ '  hL  ''  V'  T^  °^^^°"^  '^"'i 
oncealed  from  our  Eves  Pn^  ^^ r"""'^  '^^'  ''^'"'^  h'^ 
ere  it  diverted  of  iS  Veil  ^^"''   '''"^"^  ^""-P"^^  -' 


^  Every 


4  DIALOGUE     I. 

Every  Infea,  whether  it  flies  or  creeps. 
The  Denni-     j^  ^  J•(^^g  Animal,  compofed  either  of  feve- 
ticn  and  Divi-      ^^j  ^^  ^^j^jj.^  {hrink  from  or  approach 

fion  of  Infeas.  ^^^  ^^^^^^^  .^  ^  common  Membrane  that 
colleas  them  ;  or  elfe  of  feveral  diftind  Scales,  that  Aide 
over  one  another ;  or  laftly,  of  two  or  three  prmapal  Parts, 
conneaed  by  a  Thread  they  call  a  Ligature 

Of  the  firft  fort  are  all  Worms,  as  wel  thofe  who  have 
Feet  as  thofe  who  are  without  them.  When  they  would 
pafs  from  one  Place  to  another,  they  dilate  the  mufcuious 
kin  that  feparates  the  firft  Ring  from  the  next.  They  ad- 
vance the  firft  Ring,  whether  it  be  near  tne  Head  or  Tail, 
lo  a  certain  DIftance ;  and  then,  by  contraaing  and  ex- 
panding the  Skin  of  that  Part,  they  move  the  fecond  Ring ; 
Se  faJe  EiFort  draws  the  third,  and  fo  the  whole  Body 
«iarches  in  Succeffion.  In  this  manner  thofe  htte  Animals, 
Tven  without  Feet,  move  and  transfer  them felves  where 
t'heypleafe;  rife  out  of  the  Earth,  and  retire  into  it  at 
the  Appearance  of  the  leall  Danger,    and  advance  and  re- 

'' oV^th^e  tonrfor?  are  Flies,  and  M^-^;W.,  befides  an 
J.finite  Variety  of  others,  whofe  Body  is  an  Afiemblage  of 
nanv  little  Scales,  which  dilate  by  unfoldu^  t'l'r  o'; 
tu-  contrnabv  fJding  over  one  another,  like  Brailets  or 
Culffes  in  our  old  Suits  of  Armour.  ,    r   i.       - 

Ck'v.   Your  Lordlhlp  has  ftewn  me  feveral  of  them  m 

voiir  Wardrobe.  ,  ^        , 

Ccur'     Of  me  tiiird  fort  are  Ants,  Spiders,  and  feverd 

others,"that  you  fee  divided  into  two  or  three  Parts    which 

nrd  v  apperi  ta  be  conneaed  with  each  other.     It  lliould 

Sm  that  the  Term  ^/c?,    which  is  appropriated  to_  all 

;!-S  r.parate  Parts,  Scftions  and  rnov.ng  Knigs,  is  derived 

fioni  a  Leli/i  Word  which  fignifies   to  cut, 

lf;a,-c   w         gn^i  ;c  applied,  in  general,  to  all  thefe  httle 

Prior.  Their  Wimuends  feems,  at  firft  View,  tojuftify 
the  Contempt  we  entertain  of  them  :  but,  m  reality  it  af 
Lis  us  freni  Reafcn  to  admire  tl.3  Art  and  Niechanifm  o 
Er  Struaure,  which  affociates  fo  many  Veficls,  fluid 
S  Movements,  in  a  Point  that  "frX^fe'f'X  e 
Vulgar  Prejudice  confiders  them  as  the  Effia  ot  Uiance 
or  the  Refufe  of  Nature,   but  an  attentive  Lye  d.fcove^l 


J'la/n'2  /^/.J^ /^al/l^  4 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  5 

in  them  a  Wifdom,  which,  far  from  negkdine  them    U. 

Gold     Silver  and  Diamonds,    Fringe  and 
LenTlf%,rHead?'' w"'    '^/^ '^^"^s  and  the  0„,a- 

itfelf  to  ailonifh  us  with  this  Magnificence.  ^^'"'^P'^^a'^ 

l.-beTar.-??.    '?f''^'   '^^'''^  ^^^  been  fo 

i-Deraj  m  their  Ornaments,  has  completely       Their  Arms 

armed  and  put  them   into  a  Condition  of    f^'r  '""' 

makmg  War    and  affi^ulting  their  Enemies     ''''"'"'• 

as     well      as     dpfpnr^jnrv     ♦-1^^^/UT___  m       . 


AbiH..  fo,  (,.„£,;■;;:  sssr  "ii^ss' 

n..ght  injure   them.     The  Safety    of   SeeZeft"  P' 

by  the  AffiLnce  of  the?r  ^        ''  '^^'^^  ''^^'"=  Some 
Supports  them,  whl    frl^"A''  '''^'''  ^y  a  Thread  that 

Enemy;    and  others  hi  rlic  Ciftance  from  their 

whofe  Flaftidtv  T^       -^     f  ^P""S  "'^  'heir  hind   Feet 

Rea  LfIn/ul7rnawo;^'''^^  ''T''''  '^'"^  °"'  °^  tS 
Stratagemrppiiesitl^';''\'"j^7^^"'*^ft''"t^of  Force, 

feeanLgZSV  fj'^^^^^^  ^"^  the  perpetual  War  we 
nary  SubllSn  fr^d  a?  ler°^?^  '^'""r^"'^  '^'^'  °^di. 
Number  of  Jhe  Sped!    ,n  '  ?"f  time  preferves  a  fuiEcient 

Without  doubrTou  Irf/f    "''".'  the  Individuals. 
STatnrf.  fr^L    f  ■   -^   V  ^'^e  furprjzed  to  fee 
Nature  fo  careful  m  the  Equipage  and  4t-        Their    Or- 
^e  of  thefe  Infeds  we  defpifef  but  your     ^'°'  ^""^  ^'"- 
Vonder  would  be  different,"^  were  yof  o    ^'^'"^""• 
"  ^  P-t'c„lar  Survey  of  t^he  OrgaL  i>.eha.  given  them 


^  3  for 


6  DIALOGUE     I. 

for  their  Support,  and  the  Implements  each  of  them  work 
with,  according  to  their  different  ProfelTions,  for  every 
one  has  its  own.  Some  fpin,  and  have  a  couple  of  Di- 
flaft's,  and  Fingers,  to  form  their  Thread ;  others  make 
Nets  and  Lawn,  and  for  that  Purpofe  are  provided  with 
Shuttles  and  Clews  of  Thread.  There  are  fome  who  build 
in  Wood,  and  are  therefore  fupplied  with  two  Bills  for  cut- 
ling  their  Timber.  Others  make  Wax,  and  have  their 
Shops  furnifhed  with  Rakers,  Ladles  and  Trowels.  Mod 
cf  them  have  a  Trunk,  more  wonderful  for  its  various  Ufes 
than  the  ElephantV,  and  which,  to  fome,  ferves  as  an  A- 
lembic  for  the  Didillation  of  a  Syrup,  Man  could  never 
imitate.  To  others  it  performs  the  Office  of  a  Tongue  ; 
many  employ  it  as  a  Drill  for  piercing,  and  the  Generality 
of  them  ufe  it  as  a  Reed  for  Sudion.  Several,  whofe  Heads 
are  fortified  with  a  Trunk,  a  Saw,  or  a  couple  of  Pincers, 
carry,  in  the  other  Extremity  of  their  Bodies  an  Auger, 
which  they  lengthen  and  turn  at  Difcretion ;  and  by  that 
means  dig  commodious  Habitations  for  their  Families,  in  the 
Heart  of  Fruits,  under  the  Bark  of  Trees,  in  the  Subllanre 
of  Leaves  or  Gems,  and  frequently  in  the  hardertWood  ftfelf. 
1  here  are  few  who  have  excellent  Eye?,  but  have  likewife 
the  additional  Benefit  of  a  couple  of  Horns  or  Antennae, 
tliat  defend  them,  and  which,  as  the  Animal  moves  along, 
efpecially  in  the  Dark,  make  a  Trial  of  the  Way,  and 
difcover,  by  a  quick  and  delicate  Senfation,  what  would 
defile,  drown  or  endanger  them.  If  thefe  Horns  are 
moiilened  in  any  injurious  Liquor,  or  bend  by  the  Refifl- 
ance  of  a  folid  Body,  the  Animal  is  warned  of  the  Danger, 
and  turns  another  way.  Some  of  thefe  Horns  are  com po- 
fed  of  fmall  Knots,  like  thofe  on  the  Heads  of  Crayiifh, 
others  terminate  in  the  Form  of  a  Comb ;  a  third  fort  are 
covered  with  little  Plumes,  or  tufted  with  Velvet,  in  order 
to  be  prefer ved  from  Humidity.  Befides  thefe  and  many 
other  Alfiftances,  which  vary  according  to  the  Species, 
mod  Infeds  have  alfo  the  Gift  of  Flying :  Some,  as  the 
Dragon  Fly,  have  four  large  Wings,  which  correfpond 
with  the  Length  of  their  Bodies ;  others,  whofe  Wings  are 
ol  that  exquifite  Finencfs  that  the  leaft  Fridion  would  tear 
them,  have  two  llrong  Scales  which  they  raife  and  fall 
Jike  a  Pair  of  Wings,  but  which  are  no  more  than  a  Cafe 
for  the  real  ones.    You  will  find  Beetles,    May  Birds  and 

Sfanijh 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  7 

Spamjh  Files,  furnifhed  with  thefe  Cafes.  You  may  alfo 
obferve  Numbers  who  have  only  two  Wings ,  but  under 
thefe  you  will  perceive  as  many  Bladders,  or  hollow  Vef- 
fels,  which  arc  thought  by  fome*  to  be  a  Couple  of 
Weights,  or  a  kind  of  Counterpoife,  by  the  Afliftance  of 
which  the  Infecl  fupports  itfelf  againit  the  Agitation  of 
the  Air,  and  cqntinucs  in  an  p]quiiibrium,  like  a  Rope- 
Dancer  who  poifes  himfelf  with  a  Pole  that  has  a  Weighc 
of  Lead  at  each  Extremity ;  though  perhaps  thefe  hollow 
VefTeJs  may  be  judged  to  be  two  Cailenet?,  which  the  In- 
fers itrike  with  their  Wings  for  their  Diverfion,  or  elie 
to  make  themfelves  known  to  one  another  by  the  buzzing 
Sound. 

Count,  I  fee,  Sir,  by  your  attentive  Air,  that  we  ihall 
make  you  a  Philjfophcr. 

Che^v.  As  your  LordHilp  does  me  the  Favour  to  let  me 
continue  here  for  fonie  time,  I  fhall  be  Mafter  of  aTrea- 
fure  Lt  your  Expence.  With  your  PermilTion,  I  Ihall  afc 
you  a  hundred  Qucilions  every  Day.  1  am  preparing  to 
make  the  v/hole  Clafs  of  Animals  pafs  in  Review  before 
us.  1  fliall  be  perpetually  breaking  in  upon  you,  and  don'"t 
intend  to  give  you  a  Moment's  Reft,  till  I  have  robbed  you 
of  all  your  Knowledge. 

Count.  You  may  begin  your  Attack  when  you  pleafe ; 
we  (fiall  endeavour  to  defend  ourfelves. 

Che^,  In  the  firll:  place :  I  Ihall  beg  the  Favour  of  your 
Lordfhip,  after  our  Walk,  or  when  it  better  fuits  you,  te 
let  me  fee,  in  a  Microfcope ,  thefe  Habits,  Arms,  and 
Implements,  of  which  you  have  told  me  fuch  Wonders, 
According  to  your  Defcription,  Infeds  are  as  gaily  drefs'd 
as  ourfelves,  and  their  Tools  as  neatly  made  as  thofe  of 
our  bed  Mechanicks. 

Frior.  We  may  very  well  compare,  as  you  do,  Sir,  the 
Inllruments  and  Habits  of  Infeds  with  our  own  ;  but  then 
it  mufl  only  be  in  order  to  difcover  the  Inaccuracy  of  our 
Works,  and  the  Richnefs,  the  Elegance  and  infinite  Su- 
periority that  fliine  in  thofe  of  Nature.  Obferve  the  Head 
of  a  common  Fly  in  a  magnifying  Glafs.  \  One  can  ner 
Ver  be  fatiated  with  feeing  fuch  a  Frofufion  of  Gold  and 


*  Dcrham,  Theol.  Phyf.  1.  vii 

t  ExpUc.  Jilt,  dc  I'ouviv  de  fex  jonrs 


B  2  Pearl 


8  D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E     I. 

Pearls  6n  a  Head  fo  inconfiderable ,  and  comparing  it 
with  a  {ecret  CompaiTion,  with  fome  other  Heads  that 
affed  the  like  Ornaments,  without  being  able  to  imitate 
them.  What  has  been  faid  of  the  Lillies  of  the  Field,  is 
applicable  to  Ichneumon  Flies,  and  a  Variety  of  other 
Species :  Solomon,  in  all  his  Glory y  njuas  not  arrayed  like  the 
meaneir  among  them.  But  we  mufl  return  to  what  the 
Che^valier  has  already  feen.  Do  you  remember.  Sir,  what 
you  obferved  at  my  Houfe,  when  you  oblig'd  me  with  a 
Vifit?  You  took  my  Microfcope :  What  had  I  fixed 
in  it  ? 

Chev,  On  one  Side  you  had  placed  the  Sting  of  a  Bee, 
glewed  upon  a  little  Piece  of  Paper  ;  and  on  the  other  a 
fmall  Needle,  fo  very  fine  that  one  could  fcarce  finger  it. 

Prior.  How  did  the  Sting  appear  to  you  ? 

Che'v,  It  was  moil  beautifully  poliihed  from  End  to 
End,  and  the  Point  was  not  to  be  difcerned. 

Prior.  Obferve  one  thing  however,  which  I  did  not 
mention  to  you  then.  At  a  fmall  Diftance  from  the  Point, 
is  an  Orifice,  through  which  the  Bee  launches  two  little 
Darts  of  an  inexpreifible  Finenefs,  and  yet  very  Urong  and 
efiicacious ;  fo  that  what  you  faw,  and  is  commonly  ob- 
ferved to  come  from  the  Body  of  a  Bee,  is  not  properly 
the  Sting ;  but  the  Sheath,  or  a  kind  of  Augur,  to  pre- 
pare an  Orifice  for  the  two  Darts,  in  order  to  give  them 
a  deeper  Penetration.  But  hov/  did  the  little  Needle 
appear  ? 

Che'v.  All  blunt  and  rugged,  like  a  Bar  of  Iron  out  of 
a  Smith's  Forge. 

Prior,  The  Comparifon  is  juft,  Sir;  and  indeed  'tis  the 
fame  in  every  thing  elfe:  In  the  Works  of  Man,  you  fee 
nothing  but  Ruggednefs,  Gaps  and  Inequalities ;  the  Li- 
mits of  his  Induitry,  and  the  Coarfenefs  of  the  Inftruments 
he  employs,  are  evident  thro'  the  whole  ;  every  thing  looks 
as  if  it  had  been  made  with  an  Axe  or  a  Trowel,  and  dif- 
covers  an  unfkilful  Artiil,  not  at  all  acquainted  with  the 
Matter  he  works  upon.  On  the  contrary,  the  fmallell 
Works  of  the  Creator  are  perfe^.  In  their  interior  Parts 
you  will  always  find  a  Freedom,  a  Plainnefs  and  a  Set  of 
Spring?,  whofeArt,  Stru6lure  and  Correfpondence  are  known 
by  him  alone.  In  their  exterior,  you  will  conllantly  meet 
with  the  fineil  Touches  of  the  Pencil,  with  Magnificence, 

Symmetry 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  9 

Symmetry   and    amiable    Graces    difFufed     through    the 
whole. 

Che^.  I  am  determined  to  iludy  all  the  Infefts  that  fall 
in  my  way,  and  mean  to  vbe  acquainted  with  the  whole 
Tribe.  r.^^^^ 

Prior,  Shew  them  no  Quarter,  efpecially  thofe  whofe 
Colours  are  touched  up  with  Luflre.  I  pity  every  Papilio 
and  Ichneumon  Fly  that  ihall  happen  to  be  near  you. 
However,  as  the  Chenjalier  is  fo  curious  about  InCedls,  'tis 
eafy  to  give  him  Satisfadion .  Let  us  entertain  him  with 
an  Account  of  the  various  Changes  thro'  which  they  pafs, 
and  their  different  Species :  By  thefe  Means  he  will  col- 
led thofe  which  pleafe  him  moft,  range  them  in  better 
Order,  and  grow  acquainted  with  his  whole  Retinue. 

Count,  With  all  my  heart :    Let  us  begin 
then  with  their  Birth.     Every  Infedl  is  ge-       ^^^   Orign 
nerated,   like  other  Animals,    from  a  Seed     ^  iheir^*  £rft 
which    contains    the   Infed    in    Miniature,     state. 
This  Seed  is  at  firll  wrapped  up  in  a  Tingle 
or  double  Ccvering,    which  opens  v/hen  the  young  Animal 
has  acquired  Strength  enough  to  pierce  through  it.     If  the 
little  Creature  breaks  through  its  Inclofure  at  the  Birth, 
and  comes  into  the  World  compleatly  formed,    and  like 
its  Dam,  this  latter  is  faid  to  be  Viviparous.     Of  this  Spe- 
cies are  the  Palmer,    and  a  Variety  of  Infefls  that  are  to 
be  found  on  feveral  Plants,   and  Orange  Trees.     But  when 
the  Female-Parent  produces  her  Young  in  a  hard  Inclofure, 
which  is  called  an  Egg,    and  in  which  they  continue  for 
fome  Time,  fhe  is  faid  to  be  O'viparcus. 

Among  the  Viviparous  Species,  the  Inclofure  where  the 
Seed  is  lodged,  is  foft  and  delicate  ;  becaufe  as  the  Young 
is  always  invefled  with  a  Cover,  while  it  continues  in  the 
Womb  of  its  Mother,  it  is  not  requifite  that  the  Seed 
ihould  have  any  llronger  Defence.  In  the  Oviparous  Kind, 
the  Covering  which  infolds  the  Seed,  a  little  before  the 
teeming  of  the  Dam,  becomes  a  folid  Incruftation,  to  pio- 
teft  the  Young  from  the  Weight,  and  Injuries  of  the  Air, 
which  rolls  over  the  Egg,  as  upon  the  Surface  of  a  Vault, 
without  occafioning  the  leall  Prejudice  to  the  tender  Ani- 
mal who  is  lodged  in  that  Inclofure. 

All  Infe6ls,  and  Animals  in  general,  are  derived,  with- 
out Exception,  from  a  female  Parent,  who  introduce^  them 

B  5  nito 


JO  D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E    I. 

into  the  World  by  one  of  thefe  two  Operations  of  Birth. 
The  O'viparous  Species  always  lay  Eggs,  from  whence 
the  Young  proceed,  after  a  certain  Period  of  Time,  and 
by  the  Aid  of  a  particular  Degree  of  Warmth.  The  Fi- 
*viparous  Kii|ds  never  fail  to  produce  their  Young  com- 
pleatly  formed:  Thefe  Laws  have  fubfifted  from  the  Be- 
ginning of  the  World,  and  were  never  fubje^l  to  the  leaft 
Variation. 

Chev,  How,  my  Lord,  has  an  Infeft,  and  even  a  creep- 
ing  Worm,  had  a  Mother,  like  a  Lion,  who  is  the  Oft- 
fpringof  aLionefs? 

Cowit.  The  Fa6l  is  inconteftable.  A  Lion  has  had  a 
Mother,  who  likewife  proceeded  from  a  Parent  of  the  fame 
Nature.  This  alfo  fprung  from  the  like  Original,  and  all 
thofe  Generations  were  united  in  the  firll:  Lionefs,  that 
God  created  upon  the  Face  of  the  Earth.  The  fame  may 
be  faid  of  each  Species  of  Infeds,  whofe  Generations  are 
equally  fucceffive,  regular,   and  invariable. 

Che^.    How  can  we  reconcile  all  this. 
An  Objeai-    with  what  is  daily  prefented  to  our  View  ? 
on  againft  the     j)^  ^^  j^^^  ^^^  Infeds  rife  to  Life,    in    a= 
ratioaV  A^i-    hundred  Places  where  none  were  to  be  found 
jpals.  before  ?    When  a  Body  has  been  reduced  to 

a  State  of  Putrefaftion,  fome  Species  of  In- 
fe^ls  fprings  froirv  it,  and  it  is  generally  faid,  that  they  are 
engender'^from  Corruption- 

Caun^  This  indeed  is  the  common  Opinion;  but  can 
yott  beiifve  my  dear  Che*valier,  that  when  People  exprefs 
thcmfelyes  in  this  manner,  they  underftand  what  they 
la^lk  ab(5^t  ?  What  is  meant  by  the  Corruption  of  a  Body  I 
*T|j^the  Diffolution  of  its  Parts.  For  Inftance,  Meats  and 
W^ine  turn  to  Putrefadion,  when  the  Air,  and  efpecially  a 
warm  Air,  penetrating  thofe  Provifions  on  all  Sides,  diili- 
pates  their  fineft  Parts,  and  leaves  only  thofe  that  are  more 
grofs,  and  lefs  proper,  cither  to  nourifh  the  Body,  or  re- 
gale the  Palate.  'Tis  not  to  be  conceived,  that  the  inward 
Farts  of  a  Piece  of  Meat,  after  fuch  a  Diffi nation.  Change, 
and  Solution,  are,  all  at  once,  better  difpofed  to  form  an 
organized  Body,  furnifhed  with  Eyes,  a  Heart,  and  In- 
tcllines  ;  or^,  in  a  word,  all  the  conllituent, Parts  of  a  living 
Animal. 


Of  I  N  S  E  C  T  S;  w 

Che^.  How,  my  Lord!  do  you  believe  that  a  Worm # 
or  a  Caterpillar,  has  all  you  have  mentioned  ? 

Count.  The  lead  Worm,  or  the  fmalleil  Mite  once  can 
poflibly  difcover  in  Cheefe,  the  niinuteil  Eel  vifible  in  Vi- 
negar *,  and  the  moft  diminutive  Worm  that  plays  {o 
nimbly  in  other  Liquors,  have,  each  of  them,  the  Parts 
I  have  enumerated,  'lis  an  Animal  that  lees,  and  turns 
afide  when  interrupted  in  its  Way;  it  ieeks  out  its  proper 
P'ood,  eats  and  digefls.  It  mull:  needs  have  all  that  in  little 
which  we  pofTefs  in  larger  Dimenfions. 

Prior.  I  would  as  foon  fay,  that  Rocks  and  Woods 
engender  Stags  and  Elephants,  as  afHrm,  that  a  Piece  of 
Cheefe  generates  Mites.  Stags  arc  born  and  live  ia 
Woods,  and  Mites  in  Cheefe ;  but  they  both  owe  their 
Being  to  that  of  other  Animals. 

Count.  Microfcopes,  and  the  Anatomy  of  Infeds,  have 
demonftrated  this  Truth;  and  their  uniform  and  regular 
Generation  was  formerly  a  My  fiery,  which  at  laft  has  been 
fufficiently  cleared  up. 

Prior.  We  muft  convince  the  Gentleman  of  this  by 
fome  new  Proofs.  The  common  Opinion  that  Infeds  rife 
from  Putrefadlion,  is  injurious  to  the  Creator,  and  diflic- 
nourable  to  our  own  Reafon.  For  if  we  bellow  the  leall 
Attention  on  thefe  minute  Animals,  who  are  formed  with 
fo  much  Symmetry  and  Art,  and  fo  wifely  accommodated 
with  all  the  Inftruments  they  want,  and  who  perpetuate 
themfelves  in  a  Form  that  never  varies,  we  mull  either  con- 
fefs  them  to  be  the  Produdion  of  Almighty  Wifdom,  or 
the  Offspring  of  Chance,  and  the  accidental  Concourfe  of 
fome  Humours  that  have  been  changed  and  difplaced. 
Now  'tis  the  laft  Abfurdity  to  afcribe  Agency  to  Chance  ; 
nor  is  it  at  all  better  to  fay.  Chance  ads  with  any  Defign, 
Precaution  or  Uniformity.  The  fame  Wifdom,  therefore, 
that  appears  fo  admirable  in  the  Strudure  of  an  human 
Body,  is  as  vifible  in  the  Compofition  of  anLifed:  And 
Corruption  is  no  more  the  Parent  of  thefe,  than  it  is  of 
other  Animals,  or  even  Men  themfelves.  Our  next  Bu- 
fmefs  therefore  is  to  enquire,  whether  Infeds,  wherever 
they  appear,  owe  their  Exigence  to  a  new  and  extraordi- 
nary Creation,  or  whether  they  are  generated  from  a  Seed, 

*See  the  Tables  of  Leeu<w4nhothy  under  the  Word  Ammakula* 

B  6  with 


12  D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E    I. 

with  which  God,  in  the  Beginning,  impregnated  every 
Species,  and  wherein  he  has  plan'd  and  depofited  the  Or- 
gans of  future  Animals,  in  Miniature ;  in  order  to  their 
being  difengaged  and  unfolded  by  Time.  This  lall  Opinion 
feems  mod  conformable  to  Reafon  and  Experience,  to  the 
Omnipotence  of  God,  and  to  the  facred  Writings ;  which 
inform  us,  that  God,  in  the  Beginning  commanded  every 
Plant  to  have  Seed  in  itfelf,  of  its  own  Refemblance,  and 
every  Animal  to  multiply  according  to  its  Species. 

Chea;.  I  begin  to  fee  that  Things  are  as  you  reprefent 
them.  We  find  it  difhcult,  however,  to  divert  our  Minds 
of  the  Notion,  that  Infeds  are  engender'd  by  Corruption ; 
for,  as  foon  as  either  Wood,  or  Meat  begins  to  putrify,  we 
fee  them  fwarm  with  Infedls.  What  is  it  that  produces 
them  ? 

Count,  Nothing  can  be  more  natural.  They  are  born 
in  fuch^  Parcels  of  Matter,  becaufe  other  Infefls  have  laid 
their  Eggs  there, 

Che^,  But  then,  my  Lord,  thofe  Eggs  mull  be  uni- 
verfally  diftributed,  and  replenifh  every  Place ;  for  other- 
wife,  feveral  things  would  putrify,  without  producing 
Worms. 

Prior.  The  Gentleman  is  embaraffed,  becaufe  he  fees 
Worms  always  appear  where  there  is  any  Corruption. 
This  inclines  him  to  think,  that  Eggs  are  lodged  in  every 
Place,  and  only  hatched  where  they  meet  with  Juices  pro- 
per to  fwell  Jind  nourifh  the  Seed. 

Chev.  I  have  heard  the  Count  fay^  that  the  little  Seeds 
of  Plants  are  wafted  by  the  Wind,  and  difperfed  all  a- 
bout,  and  that,  at  lail,  they  begin  to  fprout,  when  they 
meet  with  Juices  convenient  for  them.  May  we  not  fup- 
pofe  too,  that  the  Eggs  of  Infers  are  every  where  diitri- 

buted  up  and  down  ?  and  that 

Count.  Have  not  I  told  you  we  fiiculd  make  you  a  Phi- 
lofopher  ?  Your  Father  and  Tutor  will  find  you,  at  your 
Return,  a  perfect  Mailer  of  Phyficks.  And  I  am  very 
glad,  Sir,  you  have  flruck  into  fuch  a  Train  of  Reafon- 
ing.  Several  of  the  Ancients  and  Moderns  have  enter- 
tained the  frme  Opinion  :  But  don'c  attribute  too  much  to 
it.  For  the  Suppofition,  that  the  Fggs  of  Infeds  are  dif- 
jeried  in  the  fame  Manner  as  the  Seeds  of  Plants,  though 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  13 

it  may  feem  fo  very  fpecious,  is  not  altogether  exa^.  You 
younelf  (hall  judge. 

A  Plant  that  bears  Seed,  is  fixed  in  the  Earth,  and  can- 
not transfer  them  to  any  Qther  Place;  for  this  Reafon, 
Nature,  if  I  may  uie  the  Expreflion,  has  given  Wings  to 
thefe  Seeds,  to  prevent  their  falling  all  in  one  Place.  Some 
burft  their  Shells  with  great  Vigour,  and  fcatter  them- 
felves  over  a  large  Extent  of  Land ;  others  are  really  fur- 
nilhed  with  little  Wings,  which  convey  them  by  the  Af- 
fiftance  of  the  Wind,  to  a  great  Dilbnce;  and  others, 
befide  this  Advantsige,  have  frnall  Hooks,  that,  in  fpite  of 
the  Wind,  fix  them  to  fome  particular  Place.  The  De- 
fign  of  the  Author  of  Nature  could  not  have  a  more  evi- 
dent difplay,  and  it  appears  no  lefs  in  the  Difpofition  of 
Infeds  Eggs  ;  but  then  the  Manner  is  very  different ;  for 
where-ever  you  meet  with  any  of  thefe,  you  will  find  them 
faftened  by  a  Glew  fo  tenacious,  that  'tis  fometimes  im- 
poflible  to  difengage  them,  without  entirely  breaking 
them  ;  or  elfe  they  are  (hut  up  in  little  Cells  of  different 
Forms,  but  all  built  with  Art,  and  cautioufly  defended. 
From  whence  it  appears,  that  Nature  never  intended  thefe 
Eggs  (hould  be  wafted  up  and  down,  but  rather  that  they 
ihould  be  fixed  in  fome  certain  Place. 

Che^.  No  more  of  my  Comparifon  :    I  renounce  it  in- 
tirely. 

Count.  I  have  not  yet  given  you  a  fuiHcient  Idea  of  the 
different  Situation  of  the  Seeds  of  Plants,  and  the  Eggs 
of  Infeds :  The  former  are  entirely  abandoned  to  the 
Wind ;  from  whence  we  infer,  they  ought  to  be  fcattered 
up  and  down,  though  they  are  not  to  take  Root  where- 
ever  they  fail,  but  in  fuch  Places  only,  where  they  meet 
v/ith  Juices  proportioned  to  the  Smallnefs  of  their  Pores. 
But  the  Fa6l  is  quite  otherwife,  with  refpedl  to  the  Eggs 
of  Infects:  They  are  unprovided  with  Wings,  to  transfer 
them  to  different  Parts ;  but  then  their  Parents  can  fly, 
and  find  out  convenient  Lodgments  for  them.  And  there- 
fore if  you  always  fee  Infects  in  a  Body,  as  foon  as  it 
begins  to  corrupt,  it  is  not  becaufe  thefe  Animals  are  in- 
gendered  by  Putrefadion,  or  that  the  Eggs  of  Infers  are 
every  where  fcattered  and  diitributed ;  but  'tis  only  becaufe 
they  have  Mothers,  who  know  that  impaired  and  corrupt 
Bodies  afford  the  propereil  Nourifliment  for  their  Young  : 

They 


14  DIALOGUE    I. 

They  are  attra6led  by  the  Odour,  which  exhales  to  a 
great  Diilance  ;  nay,  this  very  Odour  was  appointed  to 
a6l  upon  them  by  fucli  an  Attradion.  And,  in  genera!, 
the  Choice  of  the  Parent  to  lay  her  Eggs  in  a  Place  that 
abounds  with  convenient  Nourilliment  for  her  Young,  pre- 
ferably to  any  other  Situation,  is  as  proper  as  the  original 
Difpoiirlon  itfelf  of  thofe  Young,  to  demonftrate,  that 
Corruption  cannot  ingender  any  Being,  that  Chance  has 
no  Agency  ;  and  laflly,  that  'tis  only  Nature  herfelf  wlio 
prefcribes  to  every  Animal  its  Place,  its  Fundions,  and 
its  Food. 

Prior,  If  Chance  does  not  any  way  interpofe  in  placing 
the  Eggs  of  Infeds,^  it  has  ftill  lefs  to  do  in  forming 
them. 

Count,  Nothing  happens  here  by  Chance.  The  Mo- 
tions of  minute  Animals  feem  indeed  accidental  and  ca- 
pricious, but  they  as  really  tend  to  a  certain  Point  as 
thofe  of  the  largefl:  Beings.  We  fhall  find  all  the  Sagacity 
we  admire  in  a  Fox,  for  chufing  himfelf  an  advantageous 
Kennel,  and  the  fame  Induftry  with  which  we  fee  a  Bird 
make  itfelf  a  convenient  Nell;  I  fay,  we  fhall  find  all 
this  adluating  a  little  Fly,  in  her  Choice  of  a  commodious 
Manfion  for  her  minute  Pofterity.  No  Infedl  abandons 
her  Eggs  to  Chance,  and  the  Parent  is  never  deceiv'd  in 
the  Choice  of  a  proper  Situation  for  them.  If  therefore 
the  Young  find  immediate  Nourifhment  when  they  for- 
fake  the  Eggs,  'tis  becaufe  the  Mother  has  precifely  cho- 
fen  the  properefl  Place  for  their  Support.  DifTolve  a 
Grain  of  Pepper  in  Water,  and  you  will  commonly  fee 
Worms  of  an  incredible  Smallnefs  fwimming  in  the  Fluid. 
The  Parent,  who  knows  this  to  be  their  proper  Nouriih- 
ment,  never  lays  her  Eggs  in  any  other  Place.  Look  at 
a  Drop  of  Vinegar  with  a  Microfcope,  there  you  will  dif- 
cover  a  Number  of  little  Eels,  and  never  any  other  Ani- 
mals ;  becaufe  one  particular  Creature  knows  that  Vinegar, 
or  the  Materials  which  compound  it,  is  proper  for  her 
p'amily,  and  therefore  depofits  them  either  in  that  Matter j, 
or  the  Liquor  itfelf,  and  no  where  elfe.  In  thofe  Coun- 
tries where  the  Silk- Worm  feeds  at  large  in  the  Fields,  her 
Eggs  are  only  to  be  found  on  the  Mulberry-tree,  'Tis 
eafy  to  fee  what  Intered  determine;^  her  to  this  Choice, 
Yoi^  will  never  fimd  upon  a  Cabbage,   any  Eggs  of  that 

Caterpillar 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S  15 

Caterpillar  who  eats  the  Willow,  nor  fee  upon  a  Willow 
the  Eggs  of  any  Caterpillar  who  feeds  upon  Cabbage.  The 
Moth  ieeks  for  Curtains,  Woollen  StuiFs,  drelTed  Skins, 
or  even  Paper,  becaufe  its  Materials  are  Fragments  oC 
Cloth  which  have  loll  the  bitter  Flavour  of  Hemp,  by  the 
working  of  the  Paper-mill.  But  you  will  never  meet  with 
this  Creature,  either  in  a  Plant,  or  Wood,  or  even  in  pu- 
trified  Meat.  On  the  contrary,  'tis  in  this  laft,  that  the 
Fly  depofits  her  Eggs.  What  Intereil  attra<5ls  her  there  I 
Would  not  her  Eggs  be  better  lodg'd  in  a  fine  C^ina  Vafe, 
which  fhe  might  always  ufe  as  (he  pleafed  ? Experi- 
ence will  convince  you  better  what  it  is  that  regulates  her 
Choice. 

Take  a  Slice  of  Beef  newly  killed  *,  and  put  it  into 
an  open  Pot;  put  likewife  another  Slice  into  a  Pot  that's 
very  clean,  and  cover  it  immediately  with  a  Piece  of  Silk, 
fo  that  the  Air  may  tranfpire,  and  the  Flies  be  prevent- 
ed from  Aiding  their  Eggs  into  the  Veflel.  The  firll  Slice 
will  undergo  the  common  Confequence  ;  becaufe  the  Flies 
have  their  full  Liberty  to  lay  their  Eggs.  The  ether  Piece 
will  change  and  decay  by  the  Admifiion  of  the  Air ;  and 
at  laft  be  reduced  to  Powder  by  Evaporation  r  but  neither 
Eggs,  Worms,  nor  Flies  will  be  found  there :  The  moil 
that  can  happen  will  be  this,  the  Flies  allured  by  the  ex- 
haling Odour,  will  fettle  in  Swarms  upon  the  Cover,  and. 
endeavour  to  enter;  but  at  lad  will  leave  their  Eggs  upon 
the  Silk,  being  unable  to  penetrate  any  farther. 

Prior.  This  Inflance  makes  it  evident,  that  Corruption 
cannot  ingender  any  Animal,  and  indeed,  feveral  Infects 
feek  what  is  quite  different  from  it,  to  lodge  and  nourilh 
their  Young-.  But  if  fome  Animals  live  in  Putrera6lion, 
'tis  no  more  furprizing  to  fee  them  lay  their  Eggs  in  a 
Body  tending  to  Corruption,  than  it  is  to  view  the  Mo- 
ther of  a  Family,  and  her  Children,  working  with  Sickles 
in  a  Field  of  ripe  Corn.  All  Nature  is  fall  of  Animals,. 
fome  fixed  to  one  kind  of  Nouriihment,  others  to  a  diffe- 
rent. All  of  them  have  their  Eyes  attentive  on  their  Prey, 
and  nothing  eludes  their  Penetration. 

Ci^e'u.  I  now  begin  to  fee  more  Order  and  Defign  in 

*  See  the  Experiments  of  ReJi^  Art%9io  and  Leuwenbcek^s  Anat> 
&  Ccr.ttmph  Aicani  Nat.  Tom.  I« 

the 


i6  DIALOGUE    I. 

the  Condu6l  of  the  leail  Animals,  than  I  before  imagin'J. 

Prior.  The  more  you  come  to  particulars,  as  amazing 
as  the  Variety  of  Species,  and  their  different  Manner  of 
fubfifting  may  appear,  you  will,  thro'  the  whole,  fee  re- 
peated IVaces  of  the  fame  Wifdom  which  inlpires  each 
Parent  with  a  tender  Solicitude  for  her  Pollerity,  and 
works,  if  I  may  fo  exprefs  myfelf,  by  the  fame  Plan,  in 
referring  every  Species  to  the  fame  Original  ;  I  mean 
a  Generation  by  Eggs,  or  the  Seed  lodged  in  them. 

Count.    Let   us   now   iee   what  an  Egg 
The  Egg.  contains.  When  the  Female  who  produces  it, 

has  not  had  any  Commerce  with  the  Male,  it 
is  only  repleniflied  with  a  barren  Nourifhment,  that  foon 
dries  and  evaporates.  'Tis  the  Male  that  gives  the  Egg 
its  Fecundity  j  and  then,  befides  the  fine  Aliment  the 
Shell  inclofes,  there  is  lodged  in  it  a  minute  Animal, 
which  no  Hand,  but  that  of  the  Deity  could  form,  with 
a  Refemblance  to  its  Female  Parent.  This  little  Creature, 
proteded  by  the  Shell  that  furrounds  it,  in  confequence  of 
a  Law  that  furpaffes  all  our  Knowledge,  is  gently  nourifhed 
by  the  Fluid  in  which  it  fwims.  It  increafes  in  Bulk, 
and  at  length,  perceiving  its  Habitation  too  contra ded, 
breaks  its  Inclofure,  and  immediately  finds  itfelf  accom- 
modated, by  the  Wife  Precaution  of  its  Mother,  with  a 
Food  more  llrong  and  fuitable  to  its  new  Condition. 

Some  when  they  leave   the  Egg,   have 

Their  fecond  their  perfedl  Form,  which  they  never  lofe 
State.  as  long  as   they   live.     Of  this  Kind   are 

Snails,  who  quit  the  Egg  with  their  Houfe 
on  their  Back.  They  always  preferve  the  fame  Shape  and 
Habitation,  only  when  they  grow  larger,  fome  new  Cir- 
cles are  added  to  their  Shells.  Under  the  fame  Clafs  we 
may  rank  Spiders  *,  who  are  perfedlly  formed  when  they 
come  out  of  the  Egg,  and  only  change  their  Skin  and  Bulk. 
But  the  Generality  of  other  lnkt\%  pafs  through  many 
Varieties  of  Being,  and  aflume  the  Form  of  two  or  three 
Animals  fucceffively,  who  have  no  Refemblance  to  one 
another. 

Chev.  How,  my  Lord!  Will  a  Caterpillar  ever  be  any 

*  Lcuivenboek's  Arcan,  Nat.  Tom.  iii.  Epift  13S. 

thing 


0/  I  N  SE  C  T  S.  17 

thing  but  a  CaterpiHar  ?    And  has  a  Bee  ever  been  any 
Animal  different  from  a  Bee. 

Count.  Without  doubt.    There  is  an  infinite  Number  of 
thefe  httle  Animals   who  are  compofed  of  two  or  three 
Bodies  very  differently  organized,  the  fecond  of  which  un- 
folds itfelf  after  the  firft,  and  the  third  receives  its  Birth 
from  the    fecond.     Thefe  are  fo  many   Metamoiphofis. 
Have  you  never  feen  thofe  of  OwV,  Sir? 
.   P'7-,  I  ^"^  ""w  reading  them,  and  have  gone  through 
half  of  that  Work.    Thofe  agreeable  fables  divert  me  ex- 
ceedingly ;  but,  after  all,  they  are  but  Fables,  unlefs  they 
contam  fome  hidden  Meaning;    and  that  is  what  I  wilh 
fomebody  would  difcover  to  me. 

Count.  You  are  in  the  right,  and  fhould  give  no  Quar- 
ter to  thofe  who  let  you  into  their  Explanation.     In  md- 
mg  them,  you    muft  endeavour  to  unravel  thofe  ancient 
Hii  ones  that  lye  difguifed  under  fome  of  thefe  Fiaions,  as 
well  as  thofe  equivocal  Expreffions  of  the   ancient   Lan- 
guages, that  have  given  Birth  to  others.     But  fuice  I  find 
you  as  much  a  Friend  to  Truth  as  you  are  to  the  Mar- 
vellous, I  fliall  charge  myfeif  with  the  Care  of  all  your 
Pleafures,   and  intend    to   bring  you  acquainted    with  a 
Jsyliem  of  Metamorphofis  infinitely  more  furprizing  than 
thofe  of  your  Oo/zV,  and  of  whofe  Reality,  your  Sight  and 
J  ouch  mail  fully  convince  you. 
Chev.  That's  the  very  thing  I  defire. 
Count.  What  would  be  your  Surprize,    fliould  I  tell 
you,  there  IS  a  certain  Country  where  a  Multitude  of  Ani- 
mals in  different  Forms,   are  to  be  met  with,    fome  of 
whom  hve  deep  in  the  Earth  itfelf,  others  in  the  Water, 
and  who  afterwards  affume  a  new  Figure,  live  upon  the 
Surface  of  the  Ground,   and  creep  like  Serpents  through 
Woods  and  Fields;  and  after  a  certain   Period,    ceafe  to 
eat,  and  build  themfelves  Habitations,  or  rather.  Monu- 
ments of  Death,  where  they  continue  buried  feveral  Weeks, 
and  fometimes  Months,  and  whole  Years,  without  Motion 
or  Aaion,    and  to   all  Appearance,    without  Life  itfelf; 
and  who,  after  all  this,  revive,  in  the  Form  of  Birds,  and 
break  through  the  Inclofure  of  their  Sepulchres,  unfold  a 

^nl^  w"^"^  ^'"'"'S'  '°  "'^  S""  Seams ;   and  with  ex- 
panded  Wings  commence  Inhabitants  of  the  Air? 

Chev. 


i8  DIALOGUE     I. 

Chev.  I  fliould  be  glad  to  know  where  this  Country 
lyes,  and  what  are  the  Names  of  thofe  Birds.  But  I  find 
it  very  difhcult  to  believe,  that 

Count,  Nothing  in  Nature  is  more  certain.  The  Coun- 
try I  am  fpeaking  of  is  our  own,  and  thefe  Animals  are 
the  Infedls  who  are  daily  prefenting  themfelves  to  our 
View. 

Chev,  How !  are  we  we  talking  of  Flies  and  Caterpil- 
lars ;  Wafps  and  Bees. 

Count.  The  very  fame. 

Cheij,  What  Change  do  they  undergo. 

Count.  Thefe  and  many  other  Infeds,  when  they  come 
out  of  the  Egg,  ate  no  more  than  little  Worms,  Ibme 
without,  and  others  with  Feet.  Thole  who  have  none, 
are  left  to  the  Care  of  their  Parents,  who  take  upon  them 
the  Charge  of  lodging  their  Offspring  in  commcdious 
Habitations,  and  farnifhing  them  with  their  necelfary 
Aliment,  or  they  even  place  them  in  the  Center  of  the 
Subllance  that  is  to  fuilain  them.  Thofe  who  have  Feet, 
look  out  for  Nouriihment  themfelves,  on  the  Leaves  of  a 
Tree,  moil:  faitable  to  them,  and  which  proves  to  be  the 
very  fame  on  which  their  Mothers  have  placed  them. 
In  a  little  Time  they  increafe  very  fenfibly  in  Bulk. 
Many  of  them  call  off  their  Attire,  and  aiTume  a  new 
Youth,  in  a  Skin  they  change  five  or  fix  Times.  After 
this,  all  of  them  (remember  I  am  fpeaking  of  thofe  who 
undergo  any  Change)  pafs  through  an  in- 

Their  inter-  termediate  State,  called  either  the  Nympb^ 
mediate  State.  or  Cryfalis.  Thefe  are  different  Terms, 
that  fignify  very  near  the  fame  Thing,  and 
of  which  'tis  neceffary  to  give  you  the  Explanation.  The 
little  Worm,  in  Procefs  of  Time,  ceafes  to  feed ;  and  in- 
clofes  itfelf  in  a  Kind  of  fmali  Sepulchre,  that  varies  ac- 
cording to  the  Nature  of  the  Animal,  but  is  built  by 
each  Species  in  an  uniform  Manner.  And  there,  under 
a  Foldage  that  preferves  the  extreme  Delicacy  of  its  Tex- 
ture from  all  Injury,  it  acquires  a  new  Conception,  and 
a  fecond  Birth.  'Tis  then  called  a  Njfnph,  which  fignifies 
a  young  Bride,  becaufe  the  Infedl  in  that  Period  puts  on 
its  beautiful  Attire,  and  affumes  the  lafl  Form,  in  which 
it  is  to  multiply  its  Species  by  Generation.  This  Form 
is  called  the  Chryfalis,  or  the  AureUay  or  Golden  Nymph, 

becaufe 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  ,g 

becaufe  the  little  Film,  whether  hard  or  tender,  with  which 
It  IS  mvefled  ,s  by  Degrees  tinged  with  a  very  brSu 
?he  SriA^?""-  ^''  ^'^r  ^^  sees  by  the  iJamS 
in  a  Skm  generally  very  hard,  and  like  the  Shell  of  an 
thfl'th^T  ^T  °^  •'  ^'"-  ^"'  "  '""ft  be  granted! 
^oLtttJZlf^TLTS^rcrw^^ 

In  a  Word  :  Their  fourth  and  laft  State,         Thdr  l.ft 
the  great  and  final  JVTetamorphofis  which     StJ. 
happens  to  them,  is  when  they  rife  cut  of 
their  Tombs,  and  become  flying  Infeftsj   they  then  break 

vlJchtlornthS^f^^  'T^""  '^^'"'  -d'thePlamS 
wJiKi  adorn  their  Heads  begm   to  appear  ;    they  unfold 

tlZZ;  till'tT  ^"'  ^"  -  ^'--the  WonderLSefr 
FrienTthlrh      r     "'"rTV^^  ™"ft  allow  our  good 
rf  ^^l^-'^^^a^ier,  a  httle  Time  for  Hunting.  ^ 

C^w  NoniyLord:  Let  me  intreat  you  w  proceed 
Some  of  thefe  Jurellas,  in  which  Caterpillars  Comb 
hemielve.,  have  been  often  fhewn  me  i,r  he  Form  of 
Infants  m  Swadling  Cloaths;  but  I  thought  thevLd 
been  dead  and  no  body  undeceiv'd  me.  lou  3  g^e 
Tac^coSSel^^'''"'^  •"  ^^^"^S  me  how  this  l^l^ge^ 

rn?hrmeIn"llTr'''"  '"^^^"P°"  ''^^  P^«'<^"1^^«- 

Che'v.  What  may  that  be,  my  Lord  ? 

K^oufit.   To  make  them  defirahip      R,,*  t.>»  r 

them  for  another  ConveHaS         knn^  "'    ''^^"Z 

at  this  Delav    =.r,^  klr  V.  ^  '^"^^  ^o"  are  uneafy 

Impatience^'  Thf         ''^  ""^  ^"'  ^  ^^  charmed  at  your 

'^he  EndoftheJirJiT>iALOGMz. 

CATER, 


(    20    ) 


CATERPILLARS. 


Dialogue   11. 

Tbe  CovNT,  and  Countess, 
Tbe  Prior,  /7nd 
The  Chevalier* 

Cou^it.  T  Don*t  fee  any  Body  here.    My  Lady*s  Ccm- 
X  pany  is  all  withdrawn.     Let  us  place  ourfelves 
in  this  Arbour,  and  continue  our  Hiftory  of  Infefts. 

Prior.  The  Chevalier  has  been  reading  to  me  this 
Morning,  a  Summary  of  our  Yefterday*s  Converfation^ 
which  will  plcafe  your  I^rdfhip  exceedingly.  He  fully 
demonftratesi  that  Corruption  would  be  poffefs'd  both  of 
Wifdom  and  Power,  were  it  capable  of  forming  an  or- 
ganized Body ;  he  fucceeds  as  well  in  the  Reafons  he  af- 
figns  for  the  Parents  Choice  of  thole  different  Places  where 
we  find  their  Eggs  j  and  has  been  as  accurate  in  his  Ac- 
count of  the  various  Changes  the  Generality  of  Infeds  un* 
dergo. 

Count,  We  muft  appoint  the  Chevalier  our  Secretary,  I 
am  perfuaded  I  Ihall  find  my  Advantage  in  it ;  for  when- 
ever my  Aifairs  oblige  me  to  be  abfent,  I  ihall  know,  by 
his  Means,  all  the  Particulars  of  your  Conference?. 

Prior,  Believe  me,  Chevaliery  fmce  you  )iave  already 
acquired  a  Habit  of  Thinking,  and  can  exprefs  the 
Thoughts  of  others  with  fuch  a  Grace  and  Perfpicuity, 
you  have  gained  a  noble  Point,  and  we  intend  to  make 
you  the  Pontendk  of  cur  Academy. 

Cowit^ 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  21 

Count.  Wliere  did  we  break  ofF  Yefterday  ? 
Che'v,  We  were  upon  Infc£ts  who  change  their  Form 
to  that  of  a  Nymph,  from  whence  your  Lordlhip,  by  a 
new  kind  of  a  Refurre£lion,  or  Metamorphofis,  converted 
them  into  another  Set  of  living  Animals.  And  now  I 
fhould  be  glad  to  know  if  they  really  die  before  this  Tranf- 
formation. 

Count.  May  we  not  venture  to  fhorten  the  Exprellion 
and  affirm,  that  the  Infefl  adually  dies,  after  its  Con- 
verfion  into  a  Nymph  ?  'Tis  a  real  Animal,  furnifhed 
witli  Eyes  and  Feet,  a  Body  and  Inteflines ;  in  a  word, 
with  all  the  Members  proper  for  it ;  and  which  are  en- 
tirely different  from  the  flying  Animal  who  is  to  fucceed  it. 
It  diverts  itfelf  of  its  Head,  its  Eyes  and  Body,  and  is  then 
in  an  evident  State  of  Death.  Take  away  the  Head  and 
Body  from  any  other  Animal,  and  you  deprive  it  of  every 
Thing  effential  to  Life.  The  Deflru6lion  of  the  Parts,  im- 
plies that  of  the  Whole.  Thus  the  Lion,  the  Horfe,  and 
all  other  Creatures,  ceafe  to  live.  But  as  for  the  Worm, 
the  Caterpillar,  and  a  Variety  of  other  little  Animals 
who  are  thought  fo  defpicable,  their  Death  is  the  Origi- 
nal of  a  new  Exigence  ',  their  End  is  the  Commencement 
of  another  Order  of  Things.  When  a  Worm  is  dead  it 
produces  a  Fly  ;  a  Butterfly  rifes  from  a  Caterpillar ;  and 
Infedts  that  fly,  proceed  from  thofe  that  creep  *. 

'Tis  true,  the  former  Animal  furniihes  an  Inclofure  to  a 
living  Embrio  that  refides  in  it,  and  compleats  its  Form, 
after  the  Deftrudion  of  the  preceding  Infedl.  'Tis  alfo 
granted,  that  \Is  pcfnble  to  difcern  the  laft  Animal  under 
the  Skin  of  its  Predeceflbr,  in  which  it  lay  involved.  But 
flill  the  firfl  is  a  real  Animal,  who  dies  to  make  room  for 
the  fecond. 

Prior.  We  mull  obferve  however,  that  the  £rll  Animal 
is  no  Stranger  to  the  fecond,  but  regards  it  as  Part  of  itfelf, 
or  rather,  a  fecond  Self,  v,/herein  it  ftall  enjoy  a  Renova- 
tion. The  indefatigable  Care  Vv^ith  which  it  builds  a  Repo- 
fitory  for  the  Spoils  of  the  old  Infedl,  fufliciently  intimates 
its  Kxpe(^uation  of  foniething  better,  and  more  exalted. 
'Lis  not  at  all  intimidated  with  this  Appearance  of  Death, 
which  is  no  more  than  itsPaflage  to  a  more  amiable  State ; 

*Hiftoryof  Inftdl?^  hySwanwi. 

I  an 


22         D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E.     II. 

and,  far  from  being  difmayed  at  the  View  of  its  Winding 
Sheet,  it  exifts  with  Afliduity  and  Joy,  in  preparing  it, 
exhauils  all  its  Strength  and  Subftance  to  compleat  it;  and 
it  may  be  faid  to  die  like  a  'Grain  of  Corn,  whofe  conlii- 
tuent  Parts  are  difiipated  under  the  Earth,  in  order  to  be 
nutrimental  to  the  Bud  that  will  fpring  from  thofc 
Remains. 

Count.  Let  us  quit  all  general  Propofitions,  and  defcend 
to  Particulars.  There  arc  fome  Infeds,  whofe  only  Food 
is  the  Herbage  of  Fields  and  Gardens.  Others  feed  upon 
the  Wood,  into  which  they  eat  their  Way.  Some  find  a 
Subfiilance  even  in  Stones.  Another  Clafs  can  only  live  in 
Water,  or  other  Liquors.  And  feveral  Tribes  feed  upon 
the  Subftance  of  other  Animals.  As  the  Subje<^  is  there- 
fore fo  extenfive,  let  us  fe'scl  thofe  Species  which  are 
moft  familiar  to  us.  The  Che^^alier  is  already  acquainted 
with  Silk  Worms  and  Caterpillars,  and  we  will  begin  with 
them. 

Chev.  I  have  been  long  defirous  of  having  a  right  Idea 
of  the  Matter  they  fpin,  and  the  particular  Form  of  the 
Dirtaifthey  employ  on  that  Occafion :  But  I  fee  the  Coun- 
tefs  behind  the  Arbour  ;  let  us  advance  and  receive  her. 

Countefs,  Gentlemen,  fmce  your  Converfation  turns  on 
DiftaiFs  and  Thread,  I  have  fome  Privilege  to  be  feated 
among  you ;  and  I  Ihall  now  be  glad  to  know  the  Sub- 
jeft  you  chufe  for  your  Entertainment. 

Count.  We  were  talking  of  Silk  Worms  and  other  Ca- 
terpillars whofe  different  Species  already  known,    amount 
to  more  than  three  hundred  f ;    and  every  Day  new  ones 
are  difcovered.     One  Species  entirely  varies  from  another 
in  Shape,  Colour,  Inclinations  and  Manner  of  Life :  But 
in   the    fame  Species  every  thing    is   perfectly  uniform. 
Let  us    firft  examine   what   they  all  have  in   common. 
They  are  all  compofcd  of  feveral  Rings 
like  Silk  Worms ;    and  as  they  enlarge  and     Rings. 
contrail  the  Diflancc  between  them,   they 
move  their  Bodies  wherever  they  have  occalion  to  transfer 
them.     They  have  a  certain  Number  of 
Feet  which  bend  and  play,    by  the  Means     Feet, 
of  little  Joints ;  and  are  armed  with  Claws, 

♦  See  C'Jart\  genera!  Hiflory  of  InH^^^s.     j4ul?riet'i  CoHefliom 

3  to 


t 


C}tUr/iu/an 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  23 

:o  fix  and  rivet  themfelves  to  the  Bark  of  Trees,  efpecially 
;vhile    they  fleep.      The  Generality    of    them    have    a 
rhread,    whofe  Subflance  is  a  liquid  Gum ; 
^vhich  they  extradl  from  the  Leaves  they     Thread. 
?at.     When  they  are  apprehenfive  of  being 
:arried  away  by  any  Bird,    or  crufhed  by  the   moving 
Branches,    they  fhed  a  few  Drops  of  this  Gum  upon  the 
Free ;  and  then,  precipitating  themfelves,    fpin  it  in  their 
Defcent  through    feveral  Orifices    of   their   Bodies,    that 
iirnifh  as  many  diirerent  Threads,    which  they  bring  to- 
gether with  their  Claws ;   and  as  the  Threads  are  moiflen- 
id  with  a  natural  Glew,    that  unites  them  by  a  Itrong  Co- 
nefion,  they,  by  thefe  Means,    form  one  entire  Thread, 
:apable  of  fuftaining  the  Animal's  Body  in  the  Air  f. 

Count ef 5.  Methinks  I  fee  one  of  our  Ropemakers,  who, 
ifter  he  has  failened  the  End  of  his  Work  to  the  Wlieel, 
■etires  from  it  backwards ;  and  continually  throws  out 
everal  Twills  of  Hemp,  which  he  mixes  together,  and 
oins  with  his  Fingers;  and  out  of  them  all  makes  but 
)ne  Rope. 

Prior,  The  Comparifon  is  very  juft;  and  the  only  little 
:)ifFerence  I  can  obfcrve  in  it,  is,  that  the  circular  Motion, 
vhich  is  perpetually  communicated  by  the  Wheel,  to  all 
he  Rope,  is  that  which  joins  feveral  Threads  into  one, 
mder  the  Fingers  of  the  Workman ;  whereas,  in  the  In- 
lance  before  us,  'tis  a  certain  Glew  which  unites  the  feveral 
rhreads,  by  the  Aid  of  the  Caterpillar's  Claws. 

Count.  What  furprizes  me  moft,  is,  that  a  Fluid  which 
eems,  when  the  Caterpillar  is  crulhed,  to  be  very  limpid, 
hould  tliicken  into  a  Conliftence,  and  grow  dry  and  tena- 
:ious,  the  Moment  the  Creature  goes  to  work  with  it ;  in 
hort,  that  it  lliould  immediately  be  ufeful  to  her  as  a 
Irong  Chain,  to  keep  her  fufpended  out  of  the  Reach  of 
Danger,  and  fhoiild  afterwards  affill  her,  like  a  Ladder, 
0  afcend  to  her  former  Situation. 

This  is  not  the  only  AMance  Nature  has  granted  to 
ler  extreme  Imbecility;  for  ihe  is  generally  covered  with 
-lair,  wliich  preferves  her  from  the  rude 
\ccefs  of  Waters,  in  which  ihe  would  o-  Hj 
herwife  be  drowned  or  frozen.     The  fame 


[air. 


t  Lc.venhoeck,  Arcan.  Nat.  Tom.  iu. 

Half 


24        D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E    II.  | 

Hair  warns  her  to  Hide  down  from  her  Station,  before  the 
Branches,  agitated  by  the  Wind,  can  cru(h  her;  and 
when  the  Thread,  by  which  (lie  hangs,  is  difconcerted 
or  broken,  the  Hair,  with  which  flie  is  thick  fet,  prevents 
her  froin  being  bruifed  in  her  Fall. 

Would  you    believe.    Chevalier,     that 

Coloun.  even  the  Colour  of  Caterpillars  is  one  of 

the  beft  Prefervatives  many  of  them  enjoy, 

ag-alnft  the  Birds,    who  can  find  no  Suilenance  fo  delicate 

and  proper  for  their  Young,  as  thefe  Creatures*  ?  _ 

Cherj.    Does  your  Lordlhip  mean   thofe    little  fhming 
Specks  with  which  their  Backs  are  fpangled  ? 

Count.  No :  Thefe  Specks  rather  contribute  to  diftinguilh 
them,  efpeciaily  when  they  are  feen  near.  What  I  mean, 
is,  that  almoft  all  of  them  have  one  principal  Colour, 
which  perfeaiy  reiembles  that  of  the  Leaves  they  feed  on, 
or  the  little  Branches  where  they  fix  themfelves,  wnen  they 
caft  their  Skins.  The  Caterpillars  who  eat^  Bucktnorn 
are  altogether  as  green  as  that  Plant.  Thofe  wno  are  nou- 
ridied  with  Elder,  affume  the  Complexion  of  that  1  ree. 
You  mavobferve  on  Dwarf  and  Apple  Trees,  l^Jumbers 
of  thefe  Creatures,  that  are  as  much  embrovvned  as  the 
Wood  of  ihofe  Plants.  They  are  veiy  careful  to  qmt  the 
I,eave5  and  prudently  retire  along  the  Branches,  when  the 
time  for  cafting  their  Skins  is  come.  By  thefe  Means 
they  are  confounded  with  the  Matter  that  fupports  them, 
are  rendered  lefs  vifible,  and  during  their  long  Sleep,  el- 
cape  the  Birds  who  are  fearching  for  them. 

Chev.  But  to  what  Purpofe  then  has  Nature  turmflied 
Birds  with  a  Bill  to  feize  their  Prey,  if  that  Prey  has  a 
hundred  Conveniencies  for  efcaping  ?    ■  j-r-       • 

Cou>itefs.   Does  not  the  Prior,    find  a  Contradiition  m 

Prior.  I  confers.  Madam,  a  feeming  Contradiaion  ap- 
pears, and  indeed  reigns  through  all  Nature ;  but  ni  Rea  ity, 
'tis  the  EiFea  of  a  Sagacity  winch  is  no  le.s  eviden^. 
Tliis  pretended  Contradidion  keeps  all  Nature  m  J^-xcrci.e 
and  Aftion.  AH  the  mute  Creatures  are  either  empioy-. 
ed  in  Invafions  or  Defence,  and  Nature  has  given  Arms  oi-v 
c,.r. .1  .'„;;..,r,.,.    tn  .-aril  Tnaii-idual.     Bv  theie  Means 

they 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  25 

fey  all  find  Animals  e/iuugh  to  fuftain  one  another,  and 
yet  there  IS  a  fufficient  Number  preferved  to  perpetuate  the 

fcpecies    Each  Family  is  fuftained,  and  everyTabJe  furnifhed 
to  this  Moment,  and  yet  there  is  a  large  Overplus  of  Provi- 
fions  for  many  Days.  Is  there  not  a  kind  of  Contradiaion.  in 
perniittmgfifhermen  to  catch  Fill.,  and,  at  the  fame  time 
obligmg  them  to  ufeNets  with  large  Meflies,  thro'  which' 
not  only  the  Fry,    but  even  Fifh  of  a  confiderable  Size 
efcape?  And  yet  th.sis  no  more  than  a  juft  Precaution 
taken  by  a  wjk  Government,    which  at  once  provides  for 
prefent  Neceffity  and  future  Want.    Nature  has  accommoda- 
ted all  Anima  s  with  Nets,  and  permitted  them  to  fifn  and 
n^ftam  themfelves5  but  then  flie  has  prudently  limited  the 
Dimenfions  of  the  Melhes.     Vail  Quantities  of  Fifh   are 
iaily  caught,    but  there  are  always  more  preferved  than 
:aken,   whether  they  efcape  through  the  Melhes,    or  ehe 
lappen  not  to  be  invaded. 

-'fTl'-A-'  ^^^^,f}'^^'  we  are  not  the  befl  Managers  of  a 
nwfh.T.^'^'"/"'^  '^^^^  -JJ^e,    and  fte%mpIoy? 

Che'v.  None  at  all.  On  the  c^trary,  nothing  h  more 
natural  or  better  defigned.  If  Hares  did  not  defetd  them! 
;lves.  our  Dogs  would  have  no  Employment 

Lount.  What  you  obferve  in  the  Hare  and  Dog,  you 
lay  pronounce  of  other  Animals,  and  even  Infefts  them- 
Jves.  Nature,  by  enabling  fome  to  attack  and  feiz^ 
as  not  left  the  others  defencelefs :  The  leaft  have  theS 
refervatives.  You  fee,  that  even  fuch  feeble  Infeds  as 
aterpillars,  are  not  unprovided  with  the  Means  of  their 
cunty,  and  to  thefe  they  add  their  little  Policies  and  wife 
ecautioas.  For  Inftance;  you  will  oftner  find  them  un! 
;r,  than  upon  the  Leaves  they  eat;  the  Reafon  is,  that- 
J  n  "  u'  Y  '^''^^"^e^^'i    by  the  Birds.      Oftentimes 

ght  of  a  Cat;   they  counterfeit  Death,   to  amufe  their 
emy.     And  when,    by  this  Stratagem,    they  have  made 
ni    negligent,    they  improve   the  favourable  Moment 
d  conceal  themfelves.  •'"uuicni:. 

Prior.    I  have  feen  *  others  extended  in  a  motionlefs 
fture,  and  counterfeiting  Sleep;    ujoa  which  XmlS; 

^  Godart, 

C  of 


26  DIALOGUE    It. 

J  \r^,^\«   that  were  flying  about  at  a  fmall 
.<,f  little  ^vmged  Vemin   thatjere    y    g  ^^  ^  ^^^^ 

DiilaiKe.  have  imn^^eduitely  fasten  J   P   ,^^  ^,,,„,  ,^„  over 

Prey.    TheCat^'lar^ddOdfo^^^^  feized 

their  Backs,  ^"-^^5^"  S  K  their  Flefc. 

their  Eiiennea   and  regaled  th^^^^^^^^ 

Che-v.  Ho^.,  ^I'J^fYh^,  Species,    which  the  Prior 

•  :«ftM<1  of  being  a  Caterpillar,  is 

^,,,Toc.        Sra'ca'So°i W^ni   that  Lds  oa 

•        All   Tnfefts  have  a  Method,   and  a  Food 
thefe  Vermm.    All  Wis  havj  ^^^^  ^^         ^^_ 

peculiar  to  the«i,  and  from  which       7^.^^^  to  Herbage 
ferpillars.   for  Inftance,    f  ^  not       r      jj ;  each  Clafs  of 
.bu?likewife  to  ap- -ukr^^^^^^^^^^  ^.^^  „„, 

thefe  Creatures  has  b^e"  enjonea  t  .^eir  Obedience 

particular  Plant    and  they  a^^^^^^^  \  JA,  ^:,h  Hun- 

lo  this  Command,  that  th^X  w^'  unlefs  they  meet  with 
^er  than  touch  any  other  Hant,  ^j^^jr  ordinary  Food- 
ie  whofe  QaaUties  .^-^V<^^jZ  Rule,  fome  'particu- 
fTSs'who  arfSs  precife  in  this  Point,   and  can 

fned  then  to  fuch  narrow  Bounds^  where  you  cer- 

C.u.ufs.  YoucritjeifeuponNaturj  b  ^^ 
tainly  ought  to  than^  her^    1    our  App  ^^  ^^^^^^  ^^^ 
prefent  have  only  a  *«*  b^""^  R^^aees  of  two  or  three 
Wies.  were  given  "P /«  f^;/3d  foffer?      It  was 
hundred.    HS^.^ore  wJdy  ordSed,  that  CaterpiUa^ 
^.elrVf.  tulfonly  b^   deftruaive  wuhin  certain 

.       ^"nS;  that  1  had  no  Reafon  for  my  Com- 
-  Che'v.  I  am  fenfible  that  i  n^         ^;  Limitation.     I  ,| 

plaint,  fince  we  '^"'^  ri^thyTmc  Secies  often  multi- 
^ould  rather  have  aiked  ^^^rrv  Deltruaion  with  them 
ply  to  fuch  a  Degree  ^l^^^^^J^rs  fince  that  Species 
^vherever  they  go  ?    It  is  not  m    y  ^^  ^^^^  ^^  ^^1 

which  love  the  Apple-Tree,   did  no^^  P  .^^^. 

J^af.^  ThofeTrees  weieaU  loaden  wimr lu  t,  ^ 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  27 

we  might  do  ver/wdl  withStThe^  ' '    '"  "^^  ^P'"'^» 
thofe  we  eat    as  wHI^!%i,  r    ^T     ^^'^*  ^^«  ^'r^s,    for 

Food  for  them,  accommodate^  ^«  1^  ^         ,. 

of  their  Textu/e.     In  a  Wo'd    '  f.  f      f ''''^l"S  Delicacy 

vvhe.e  difperfes  Worms  Ltte  is  ^"  that  he  every 

fore  the  Month  of  JtJth^  ™  accuftoroed  to.  Be- 
Broods  of  Birds.  L  £  MoS 'of'X  ?^"P'?"^'  "- 
:here  are  neither  Br«ods  nor  SferpHlS  f L^  ^f""^"-' 
covered  with  Grain,  and  other  Pr^r'  T^^^h  '«  then 
.  Pricr.  Till  that  I^me  the  B^:l'°"'  t^^'^'V  Kind. 
I^gned  th.m  for  their  SuprSt    and  t^N  F^l^P-"^"  af- 

hey  are  fupflied  with  from  ;£  K     t^'^'  \"^  '^^^ 
l|ght  as  well  as  ourfelves.  to  the  Verdnr.  P?  l"^^  » 

fely  the  very  fame     ^"^'''^"'•^*^  a*  <>"«,  fi„ce  it  is  j»e.  " 

h?;  rSraJ"  ™;;:"f  ^  -'^  Frufe  of  the  Earth 
^-.    '^fmetimervTy^pr5JS;;--mo„   .S 

ch,  was  both  forefeen  and  oldaS    J"""  •    ^*^*^»   *■" 
ftruaed,  as   well  as  fuftained      HU  r  ^*"  ""'""'^  ^  '«=■ 


28  D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E    11. 

his  avenging  Armies  to  mardi  forth,  and,  inftead  of  Lions 
and  Tygers,  or  other  formidable  Animals,    fets  Caterpil- 
lars, Flies,  and  Locuils^  in  array  againft  him.     Such  in* 
coniiderable  Inftruments  as  Worms  and  Flies,  are  employ- 
ed by  .the  Almighty,    to  humble  the  Pride  of  Men,  who 
are  too. apt  to  flatter  themfelves,  that  they  are  rich,  arid 
great,    and   independent.     You  fee,    my  dear  Chevalier, 
t-hat  the  fame  Hand  which   created  the  Fly  and  the  Ca- 
terpillar, has  alfo  formed  the   Lion  and  the  Tyger.     He 
has  prepared  a  convenient  Nourilhment  for  them  all,    be- 
caufe    he  knows  the  particular   Ufes    for 
Icclef.  iii.  2.       which  he  has  referved  them.  E^very  thing  he 
has  made  is  good  in  its  Sea/on^,    and  when 
our  weak  Apprehenfions  cannot  penetrate  into  the  Motives 
of  his  Works,  fhould  we,  for  that  Reafon,  prefume  to  di- 
minifh  from  them,  or  wifh  any  Addition  to  them  ?    But 
you  will  tell  me  I  am  preaching,    and  therefore  we  will 
return  to  our  Hiflory  of  Caterpillars,  and  beg  the  Favour 
ef  the  County  to  give  us  a  View  of  thefe  Creatures,  as  they - 
^re  employed  in  building  their  Tombs.  .  ' 

Countefs,  I  find  you  don't  expe(5t  much  from  me,  and 
fo  I  am  not  afked  any  Queilions.  However,  I  would  wil- 
lingly be  of  fome  Confequence  in  my  Turn  ;    and  defire 
teave  to  fend  my  Servant  up  to  my  Clofet  for  a  little 
Box,    that   will  fpeak  for  me,   as  well  as  a  line  Oration.- 
You  will  find  in  it  what  will  entertain  your 
Their  Tombs.       Eyes  at  leaft ;  in  the  mean  Time,    let  us 
take  a  View  of  the  Caterpillars  Funeral. 
Count.  Towards  the  End  of  Summer,   and   fometimes 
fooner,  thefe  Infedls,  when    they  are   fatiated  with   Ver- 
d;Ure,  and  have  changed  their  Skin  feveral  Times,    ceafe 
to  eat,    and  employ   themfelves   in    building  a   Retreat^ 
wherein  they  are  to  quit  the  Life  and  Form  of  a  Cater- 
pillar, to  give  Birth  to  the  Butterfly  they  contain  within 
tliem.    A  few  Days  are  fufiicient  to  condudl  fome  into  a 
new  State  of  Exigence.    .Others  continue  whole  Months 
and  Years  in   their  Sepulchres.    There  are  fome  Species 
that  plunge  themfelves  to  a  fmall   Depth   in  the  Earth, 
after  they  are  fatiated  with  their  Food.     In  that  Situation' 
they  begin  their  Efforts,  and  rend  their  Robe,  which,  with  • 
the  Hfiid,    the  Paws,   and  Entrails,    ihrink    back  Ijke  a 
^Jun  of  ^\Y  Parchment  \    and  there  remains  a  SubHance 

that 


Of  IN  SEC  TS.  ^9 

Aat  refembles  a  Bean,  or  a  Kind  of  Covering  of  a  brown 
Complexion,  with  an  oval  Form,  the  moft  pointed  Part 
ot  which  terminates  in  feveral  moving  Rings,  whofe  Bp- 
menfions  are  gradually  diminiih'd.  This  is  the  Chryfalis. 
that  inclofes  the  Embryoof  the  Butterfly,  with  fuch  Fluid^ 
as  are  proper  to  nourilh,  and  compleat  its  Growth.  When 

inent,  it  burfts  the  large  Extremity  of  its  Inclofure,  whieh 
always  correfponds  with  its  Head,  and  is  weak  enough  to 
be  opened  at  the  firft  Effort.  ^ 

FanT  ^''P'"?":.  '"'^'^'^  °^'^"^'"g  themfelv«s  into  the 
harth.  prepare  a  Lodgment  under  the  Projeftions  of  Roofs 
»n  the  Cavities  of  Walls;  under  the  Bark  of  Trees     and 
cS  A^rr-'^Tr  '^  ^\^°°^-     ^"  °f  ^J'^-  h"    '  fuffi- 
Time  they  are  to  continue  in  the  Form  of  Aurelias. 

Ihere  are  others  who  fufpend  themfelves,    with  greae 
Dexterity,  to  the  Roofs  of  Houfes,  or  the  firft  Stake    ha 

Sinner    Th^  T?'  '^f  ^''^^^  P^-^  -  the  following 
Manner.     The  Caterpillar  extrafts   from   her  own  Sub- 

a  due   ConfUlency,    „,   proportion   as    fbe  advances   her 
Head  from   one  Place  to  another:    And   when  fte   has 

fee  to'whicht"'  'T^'  '''''''''  -  r-eTmcid 
mce,  to  which  fhe  intends  to  fix  herfelf,   fte  infinuates 

M  anS  theT  Tr^  ^^^P^'-"-  «f  the  Tiff^e.Ty 
Means  of  the  minute  Claws  in  which  they  termin?te      Jn 

whchC'  \^"ff  Pl"«^es  her  firft  Fallen ing  after 
lir.^  W  Tl  ^"  ^^^^'  ^"^  fixes  anew  Thread  on  the 
ateral  Wood  that  correfponds  with  her  fifth  Ring    and 

Sead  in'tf:"?  ^^^f -/  ^er  Head,  ike  drS's  this 
fhpn  Art  ■  "/'"  "^  ^  2°^'  around  her  Back,  and 
tfe  Motion"  '°  '''%°PP°'"'^^  Side.     She  frequently  r'epea^ 

Leftto^heSK?  "■•tr" '^"^""^  the  Thread  fLn^hc 
V    r   '^^^g'^V  and  from  the  Right  to  the  Left   Whr„ 

^^cJe"oth!;ld"''t  '"?"""'  /^^  Animal  abov^Jh^ 
brtified  LtrJ  ^'  •^''  ''f "  Sufficiently  doubled  and 
Us   inHrS  "P?"  '''  ^"'^  ^^^^n  agitates  her  Body,  till 

^  3  diffipated 


Paws  by  which  it  was  detained,  the  E'';'^'^"'"^  °\  ''l*' 
S'hi  (hot  out  a  Set  of  little  Points  whofe  Heads  ter 
Ste  like  that  of  a  Mufhrooni,  or  NaiU  and  as  they 
S  exterdeVbeyond  the  Threads,  they  are  fufficient  vv. A 
SSthat  tr'averfes  the  B^k.  to  fallen  the  Bean  tU 
the  proper  Seafon,  when  the  Papiho  is  to  be  diicnargea 
from  her  Confinement.  .  ,    . 

?  have  been  told  that  fome  Caterpillars  involve  the  r 
^rdles  L  a  Textare  of  Thread  and  Glew,  and  then  ro  t 
Selves  oTe'^B^d  of  Sand,  by  which  Means  they  col- 
kaanlncruilratioHoffmall  Grains,  and  ba.ld  themfe Ive, 
fnth"  Manner,  u  Monument  of  Stone,     i  have  feen  tbi. 

'^^Snr^St  rS^[f Wood,   and  crumble 
into  fmall  Particles  the  Subftance  of  a  Willow,    or  fome 
other  PBt  to   which   they  have  habituated   themfelves 
They  afterwards  pulverize  the  whole,  and  form  it,    with 
an  intermixture  of  Glew,  into  a  Paile.  in  which  they  wrap 
themfeWes  up.    This  Compofition  dries  over  the  Chry- 
fStfur  ounds,  and  which  affumes  much  the  fame  Fi- 
ture     fo  that  k  refembles  a  Mummy,  which  correfponds 
S'theForm  of  the  Body   it  inclofes,   and  to  which  it 
feves  as  a  Defence.     I  have  fome  Infefts.  m  this  Form> 
of  [h^  Chryfalis.  about  me,  and  faacy  the  Ch-vaher  will 

'^cttVhey  a'e\e:fly-very  entertaining  Figures     and 
one  would  bJ  apt  to  take   them  for  Pagods,    or  Infant. 
rSwadling    Cloaths.      Is    it    poffible  there    Ihould  be 
any  Life  within  ;    and   is  a  Butterfly  to  fpr.ng  out  of  the^ 
Ruin  ?  The  whole  Mafs  feems  to  be  quite  dead.  ,  ' 

Ccuni  If  you  prefs  them  a  little,  you  wil  find  rome 
Siens  of  Life  I  could  not  give  you  a  better  dea  of  their. 
Sf/  of  Irenes,  or  Nymphs,  than  by  letting  you  fee 
Se  HttleTomb  out  of  which  as  many  Butterflies  are 
o  rife  Thofe  v^ho  are  Females  will  lay  their  Eggs, 
dtheupon  the  very  Plant  that  formerly  "^"'■f.^^i  ^^p""' 
or  upon  one  of  the  fame  Sort.  They  range  .t^-^r  Egg» 
L"^imes  in  a  flrai.  or  elfe  ^^^^:^^^  [  Si 


O/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  ^t 

Glew,  that  the  Heavieft  Rains  can't  waft  them  away. 

You  mil  find  fome  Caterpillars,  who,   in  their  VVorks, 
neither  im.tate  the  Mafon  nor  Carpenter;  but  artificially 
Ipin  themieJyes  a  warm  Robe  to  fecure  themfelves  from 
the  Rani      We  ihall  give  you  a  clearer  Conception  of  this 
curious  Work,  wnen  we  come  to  defcribe  the   Cones  of 
bilK-Worms ;  to  which  they  bear  a  perfed  Refemblance. 
_    I  he  Caterpillars  we  are  moft  acquainted  with  are  found 
in  great  Numbers  upon  Elms,    Apple-Trees,    and  Bullies, 
rhePap.ho  that  proceeds  from  thefe,  chufes  fome  beau- 
tiful Leaf,  on  which  fl,e  fixes  her  Eggs  in  Autumn,  and 
foon  after  dies,  glewed  and  extended   upon  her  beloved- 
tamuy.     The  Sun,    whofe  Rays  have  ftiU  fome  Power 
warms  her  Eggs,  out  of  which,  before  the  Winter  Seafon! 
a  Multitude  of  little  Caterpillars  fpring.  who  without  hav- 
ing ever  feen  their  Mother,  and  without   the  leaft  Model 
or  Inftrudions    immediately,  with  a  Kind  of  EmuIat-oP 
betake  themfelves  to  Spinning,  and   with   their  Threads 
indullrioufly  weave  themfelves  Beds,  and  a  fpacious  Habi- 
cation;  where  they  flielter  themfelves  from  the  Severity  of 
theSeafon    diftributed  into  diiFerent  Apartments,  witliout 
eating,    and  frequently  without  llirring  abroad.     The-e  ia 
only   one  litde  opening  at  the  Bottom  of  this  Manfion, 
through  which  the  Family  fometimes  take  the  Air  towards 
iNoon,  in  a  fine  Sun-Hiine,  and  fometimes  in  the  Nieht 
when  the  Weather  is   fettled.     When  you  would    oLn 

Jr^rf  ^*1:  ^°r  "^"ft.einploy  a  little  Strength  to  break 
the  TifFue  that  forms  it,  which  is  generally  as  firm  as 
Parchment,    and  not  to  be  penetrated  by  Rain,  Wind,  or 

!k  Itt  P""^,"'  ^"'^  ^'''■■■ounded  with  feveral  Folds  of 
the  Web  they  have  fpun,  which  at  once  fuoolies  thenv 
with  their  Quilts,  their  Curtains,  and  their  Tent. 

„,  I^'-^V'  u'%^.^.''^"'^'>'  ''"'"Pnzing  to  fee  fuch  tender  Ani- 
mals pafs  the  V/inter  in  this  Manner;    but  it  amazes  me 

eatin"'"''^'  -^  "'°"^'*  ^'^^  "^^  '^^'  ^^^^°"  ^"^°"' 

I.rS*''''  7^T  ""■?  ^^"°"'  ^P^""'  °f  Birds,  Reptiles  and 
tW  f'<S^  «^^P/^-^r^I  Months  in  thisManne?;  and  as 
rJ.  u  "°.D'%at.onof  their  Animal  Spirits,  fo  tiiey 
want  no  Recruits  of  Food.  >  '"  t-'cy 

Cou^u/s.  There  is  an  odd  Peculiarity  among^  Caterpil- 

^-4-f  lars,. 


,2  D  1  A  L  O  G  U  E    II. 

lars   and  I  am  very  defirous  of  having  ft 
againft  the  re-    ^^^^^^  of  Papilio's,  1  havefrequently  pro 

El":fXnio's  from  the.    the,  ,ave 

frequer^tly  difappointed  ine  >^»J,^^ff ' Jfel/.    bne  (hall 

^    Prior.  This  I  have  ^^^^  °^  ™^^^^ 

fee,  forlnftance,  ^  [warm  of  lute  FUesm^r^^^  g.^^^^^  .^ 

living  CaterTullarth^o-^^eAp.^^^^^^^^^^  ^P^^ 

her  Skin.  We  fometim«  _°bkr^^i^j^l^  ^hey  enfold  them- 
ceedingfrom  ^^^^^^^'^^^^ttm  iL  fhort  Time 
J:^;:rnSnStrrhte  even  feen  Flies  extremely 
foa^llffue^rom  the  Eggs  oPaFhos  ^^^^ 

C(7««/.  ineieriics  ax  ,,  ^^^,  a „;rv,al  whatever  ;  and  it 
pillar,  who  n^'^^"^',? be  theCS^  ofthePapilio.who 
is  impoffible  they  fliould  ^^.'^"^^"^'/papiiio's.    The  Mi- 

One  of  them  is  very  W«;^^J  j^  ^^„emely  fmall,   and 

'^\  ^L,   -h;ch  proceeds  from   t^^^^^^^^^ 

This  Worm  pen^rates  the  Egg  ot  tn        f^       .^  ^^^^^ 

tofetde  there;  «f  ^^J^^-J  ''^^l^dST  littk  Chryfalis, 

Body  of  a  Caterpillar,  ?"d  ^'P^f^;^^^'   Tconfequence 
aurL  they  have  made  m  J^^  ^n  m  JVorms,  Au'relias, 

#  Vallifneri,  Tom,  i.  i?^'^*^  "^^^^  places 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  33 

Places  as  can  beft  afford  a  convenient  Food  for  the  Yountr 
that  are  after^vards  to  proceed  from  them 

r,fth!X'r  }^''\{  faw  a  large  Fly  pierce  the  Skin  of  one 
ofthofeCaterpilars*  that  feeds  on  the  Leaves  of  Elms; 
and  from  that  Punfture  proceeded  one  of  thofe  Flies  tha 
gave  Battle  to  the  Garden   Spider.     I  vvifl,  vve  had  The 
nvo  Champions  here,  to  entertain  the  Ci>e'va//er  with  their 
Combat.    The  Fly    at  the  firft  Encounter,  darts  J  fa  1 
^s  Force  upon   xts  Enemy,    who  lies  in  Ambulh  in  the 
Center  of  the  Web      The  Spider  immediately  falls  frl 
ts  Situation,  ftunn'd  with  the  Shock  ;  but  in  his  Defcen? 
aways  fp  „s  his  Way  down.     The  Fly  tak  s  ALntage  of 
us  Adverfary's  Diforder.  fprings  from  his  Body,  and  af- 
er  he  has  dragged  him  to  the  Earth,  breaks  all  his  Legs ; 
le  then  wheels  very  fiercely  round  the  Spider,    either  to 
..zehiminfome  Part  where  he  can  have  no  App  ehei- 
lon  of  his  Claws,  or  elfe  to  tellify  his  Joy  at  his'^VkW 
ver  the  Enemy  of  his  Species :    And  ifL  he  has  thu^ 
.arched  round  h.m.  two  or  three  Times,  he  fafteL  upon 
im,   and   immediately  mounts    into  the  Air   with   his 
aptive.  ^*^^ 

,f  fw  V"''  Creature  is  the  very  JciiJ/es  of  the  Flies 
>dthat  Hero  treated  the  unfortunate   He^or  exaftly  iri 
>s  Manner,   for    after  he  had  overthrown  him  in^he 
r  ^,%'^f!-'"^"^  him,  and.  when  he  had  oliked  him  a 
oufand  Infults,  dragged  him  to  his  Tent. 
Ccu.r  If  yo^   have  any  Inclination  to  be  acquainted 
ith  the  other  xribes  of  thefe  Creatures,  their  Inclinations 
d  various  Properties,  you  may,  while  you  continue  "n 
e  Country    make  a  Colkaion  of  all  theh-  SpeciesTn  liN 
:  Boxes ;  but  you  muft  remember  to  fupply  them  eve  v 
ty  with  green  Provifions,  fuitable  to  their  feve^alS 
es ;  and,  when  you  have  done  this,    you  cannot  ima 
>e  what  an  agreeable  Amufement  you  will  SJ^  Zm 
■Variety  and  Exaftnefs  of  their  Operations.  ""^ 

Cau.fe/s.  For  my  Part,  I  think  the  CJ^erva/w  is  alreadv 
y  attentive  to  the  Cones,  .hat  are  neareft  th4  cS 

t  isirenf  ^  ""'  '""'^^'^^  ^-  ^'^  ^^f--^n 

'  Gcdart,  Fx^er,  Jiif. 


34  DIALOGUE    II. 

Prior.  How  is  it  poffible  to  be  unaffected     J^^l^}'-^- 
with  this  little  Miracle  of  Nature!    Open 
one  of  thefe  Aurelia's    nnd  ^t  ^.i.    eem j  .^ 

prefent  you  with  "^hrng  but  a  Kind  of  Put  ,^^^_ 

which  every  thing  is  confounded     bu  ^hen 

aion  contains  the  Elements  of  .^  b;"";J'^J„,Hbute  to  the 
andcompofesthenutrimentaljmces  vh.chco,u_^     ^^^  .^^ 

Growth  of  a  more  perfeft  Ammai      in      ^  ^^^^^^ 

Enlargement,  ^' If  ^,™\C^' miS  i  •  The  Head 
its  w!y  through  the  Pnfon  t^f^.^'^'^Xe  Horns  lengthen, 
difengages  itfelf  through  the  APf^f  ">  f ',^\ft,  thi  But- 
the  Le|s  and  Wings  are  ^x jf  f  j^'^J^  fe  ^ins  no  Si- 
terfly  takes  its  Flight  through  the  A'^^"J,  -n^,,  who 
militude  of  its  former  Conditm  Jhe  J^a'e  jP  ^^^^^^^ 
is  changed  into  a  Nymph    and  the  Butterny         Y       ^^^ 

from  I  are  two  A-^^^^J^'^^t^led  S^  along  the 
was  altogether  terreftnal,  and  ^'.^y}^'^  \  .\^  fj,°from 
Ground.^  The  fecond  «  Agd.ty  ufe  f.  and    si  ^^^ 

li„,iting  its  Motions  to  the  Earth    that  jt  ^^^  ^^^ 

fare,    difdains    to  repofe  on   >ts   i^ap.     i  ^^^^ 

Lr  a'u  «:'  t^^Uer^t^S^itr^S 

this  ranges  from  Flower  to  Flower,    re|  i 

cdeftial  Things,   and  tl'^J^J'™  contemplation  of  hep 

Profit  perpeuval  y  f  ^^^^^^^V" ^at  i^^  ^-»  ^^ 

Works.     This  IS  a  Theology   tnai  ^^^^^^^  ^^ 

ceived,  becaufe  it  «  always   nteW.g  b  e      I       S^^  ^^  ^^^.^ 

.U  Matters  or  "^h^/,^°"  ?;f'yp,^,This  Inftrulions  from 
Method,  by  takmg  the  due^^art  ot       ^^^  ^^  ^.^  ^ 

themoft  ^^^^'^"i^XfgSs  an  image  of  the  Re  «. 
and  in  pa"'^^^'"^'.  ^wEt  that  continues  unmultiphed 
?lfirdi«,\S^X'nrris  rotten  in  the  Earth,  pro- 
duces aU^ge  Prof  ufton  of  Grain. 

CouriU/s 


T/a/n  S  /ot  I  /ut/j^  3^ 


J^  ///^^v  ^i.-;^  o//-Ar  .  ^a/^^7uy:^    .  'P/m;^ay^. 


a 

P 

V\ 

a 

al 

U 

th 

an 

rei 

til 


j^  i/M-'r 


t^/irJh/it/iOif  a/}/ie  ni}rht^ 


7'/trf<-  V  /i^/.-T  /l<l/ff  Sfi 


t//uy  are  cZ/j^xn^cuj/i^/^/^  ^y  fA^  dn^enn/^s  orA^mj  7i/Azi/i  amj^^mx/^  c^fyn  ^/i^  a/unnl^^ 


T/are  4  /^/•J'A^^2f3±_ 


'  yi  amj^milfy/^en  ^rUo  a/umtt,- 


0/  I  N  S  E  CTS..  35 

Count efs.  If  the  Study  of  thofe  Changes  which  In fe(fl8 
jndergo,  could  afford  us  no  more  than  one  ufeful  Compa- 
ifon,  our  Time,  even  in  that  Cafe,  would  not  be  mif- 
jmployed.  But  my  Servant  has  brought  us  the  Box  I 
vas  defirous  the  Chevalier  fhould  fee :  Here  is  the  Key, 
>ir;  be  pleafed  to  open  it,  and  divert  yourfelf. 

Che^,  Are  they  Caterpillars  who  are  at  work  in  it  ? 

Countefs,  No :    They  are  Creatures  rifen 
rom  the  Graves  of  thofe   Infeds,    though        Butterflies. 
heir  Refurredion  has  not  added  Immorta- 
Ity  to  their  new  Life.     I  have  collefted  and  pafled  here,  - 
1  different  Compartments,  all  the  feveral  Kinds  of  Papi- 
io's  I  have  ever  feen;  and  as  I  learned  to  paint  when  I 
^as  \try  young,  I  have  copied  each  Animal  from  Nature, 
nder  every  Compartment,  and  have  likevvife  reprefented 
le  Caterpillar  and  Aurelia,  that  are  proper  to  each  Species, - 
1  their  natural  Colours  and  Dimenfionsu    Examine  the  firit 
'ompartment  you  call  your  Eyes  on. 

Che'v.  What  delightful  Colouring  is  here!  Pray  let  us^ 
bferve  them  in  order,  and  begin  with  the  iirft. 

Comtefs,  The  Papiiio's,    who  make  their  Appearance 
I  the   Night,    I   have  ranged  upon  a  Ground  of  white 
Utin.     Their  Shades  and  Colours  are  foft  and  agreeable,, 
it  not  very  fhining  j  and  they  want  to  be  heightened  with 
hite,  to  give  them  a  better  EfFea.     As  all  thefc  Infers 
ily  appear  in  the  Night,  I  call  them  my 
^vl  PapiIio''s.  You  fee  them  painted  under        Moths, 
e   Compartment,    in    the  fame   Order, 
iiofeof  the  firll  Range  reprefent  Moths  that  gnaw  StuS, 
C/.^i;   They  feem  to  be  wrapp'd  up  in  a  Kind  of  Muff, 
It  of  which  they  extend  their  Heads  and  Bodies 
Countefs,    That  Muff*  is    a   Habitation   which    they 
emfelves  prepare.     The  young  One,   upon  leaving  the 
rg,  which  a  Butterfiy  has  lodg'd  upon  a  Piece  of  Stuff, 

abkm  welldreifed,  and  commodious  for  her  Purpofe ' 
imeciiatcly  finds  a  Habitation,  and  Food  in  the  Nap  of! 
e  Stuff,  or  Hair  of  the  Skin.     It  gnaws  f  and  lives  udou 
e  Nap,  and  likewife  builds  with  it  the  Apartment  you 
r,  accommodated  both  with  a  Fore-door,  and  a  Back-. 

1  ^^.^"^t^  ""^  ^^^  Academy  of  Sciences,  172?, 
T  Monf.  Rcauncur.  •    '    . 

*^  ^  one. 


36  D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E    IL 

one.     The  whole  is  well  faftened  to  the  Ground  of  the 
Stuff,  with  feveral  Strings  and  a  little  Glew.     The  Moth 
fometimes  thralls  her   Head  out  of  one  Opening,    and 
fometimes  out  of  the  other,  and  perpetually  devours,  and 
demoliihes  all  about  her.     But  'tis  very    pleafant  to  ob- 
ferve,    that  the  Tent  of  this    Creature   is  always  of  the 
fame  Colour  with    the    Subftance   ihe  feeds  upon;    and 
when  fhe  has  cleared  the  Place  about  her,  -(he  draws ^  out 
all  the  Stakes  of  this  Tent;  after  which  (he  carries  it  to 
fome  little  Diftance  on  her  Back,  and  then  fixes  it  with 
her  flender   Cords  in  a  new  Situation.     If  Ihe  has  been 
gnawing  red  Wool,    and  ftiould   afterwards    find  herfelf 
placed  on  a  Parcel  of  Wool  of  a  green  Dye,  her  Habi- 
tation, which,  till  then,    was  all  red,  is  enlarged  m  its 
Dimenfions,  but,  at  the  fame  Time,  becomes  tinged  with 
Green,  and  perfeaiy  correfponds  with  the  Plain  where  ihe 
finds  her  Pafture.     In  this   Manner  ihe  continues  to  live 
«t   otir  Expence,    till  flie  is  fatiated  with  her   Food,  at 
which  Period  fhe  is  firfl  transformed  into  a  Nymph,  and 
then  chafiges  to  a  Papilio.     I  would  not  have  the  Che- 
waller  believe  all  this  to  be  only  an   agreeable  Amufe- 
jncnt.     For  my  part,  I  was  willing,    as  a  good  Oecono- 
mift,  to  have  fome  Knowledge  of  an  Animal  fo  dellru- 
aive  to  our  Furniture  ;  and  this   Knowledge  has  likcwife 
furnifn'd  me  with  a  Remedy,  which  is  obtained,    by  fre- 
quently rubbing  the  Tapeftry  and  Curtains  with  a  Lock  of 
Sheep's  Wool,  that  ftill  retains  its  natural  Fat.   This  Dif- 
covery  was  made  by  obferving,    that  the  Moth  always 
chufes  Skins  and  Wool,  that  have  been  manufadur'd  by 
the  Workman.     Another  Remedy  is,    to  beat   our  Stuffs 
and  Tapeftries   well,    before  the  Papilio's   have  laid  their 
Eggs,  towards  the  Middle  of  the  Summer;  and  lo  be  care- 
ful not  to  replace  them  in   the  Apartments,  till  you  have 
<kftroyed  the  Moths  and  Papilio's  with  Oil  of  Turpentine, 
pr  the  Smoke  of  Tobacco. 

Let  us  now  proceed  to  the  fecond  Compartment,  which 
begins  with  thofe  Papilio's  that  appear  in  the  Day.  Their 
Size  is  generally  larger,  and  their  Colours  more  lively.  1 
always  took  Care  to  fix  them  on  a  Sattin  Ground,  of  a 
Colour  contrary  to  that  which  appears  in  thefe  Infers. 
In  this,  and  the  next  Compartment,  you  fee  no  Colours 
but  what  are  limple  and  uniform;  but  in  the  fourth,  you 

maj 


jPa/i 


jnaA'  8  /o/J/uf^f  J^ 


jP^zm/i^s  of  tA£  2)ciy. 


\ 


fents  of 
|f  Hun- 
I  When 

I  come 

II  View 
to  prefs 
thers. 

at  what 
ut  Duft. 
ers  were 
vith  th^ 


n  have 
at  one 

ied  and 
the  Be- 

Icr,  like 


the 


/^'//^y .      j'/,i/i'  r  ^ef.  I.  ^a^c^  JT 


,  "^ArY/M.i.  /  y/i.-  P/iim^ 


I 


K/^ur..r'>^)LthA\)L-  ^k^J^X'  ^f'^^v v^ES 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S,  ■^j 

may  obferve  them  intermingled  with  one  another.  I  have 
there  oppofed  white  to  red,  and  yellow  to  blue  ;  all  thefe 
Colours  heighten,  and  contrail  each  other,  according  to 
their  diiFerent  Degrees. 

In  the  laft  Compartments,  I  have  colleded  and  ranged, 
with  the  nicell  Judgment  and  Propriety  1  was  capable  of, 
all  thofe  Papilio's  who  are   covered  with  Plumage,  or  tin-  ^ 
dured   with  a  Variety  of  Colours.     You  may  there  fee 
thofe  of  French y    India?i,    and  American  Extraction ;    for 
they  have  been  brought  to  me  from  ail  Parts  :  Each  Coun- 
try has  its    own   Species,    Ihaped  in  a  peculiar   Manner. 
There  is  not  one  of  thefe  Creatures  that  has  not  a  good 
Efteft,  when  the  Eye  compares  it  with  the  next  v  and  in- 
deed moft  of  them  viewed  fmgly,  and  independent  of  thx 
reft,  give  Pleafure  to  the  Sight ;    fometimes  by  the  rude, 
and  fometimes  by  the  foft  Gradation  of  one   Colour  into 
another,  and  the  various  Diminutions  of  the  Tints ;    but, 
above  all,  one  is  aftonifhed  at  the  Beauty  of  the  largeil  of 
thefe  Infedls,  where  Nature  feems  to  fport  herfelf  in  the 
artificial  Mixture  and  Difplay  of  all  her  moft  amiable  and 
radiant  Treafures.     You  will  find,    in  thefe  Wings,    the 
Luftre  and  Variety  of  all  the  Colours  of  Mother  of  Pearl, 
you  will  fee  the  Eyes  that  fparkle  in  a  Peacock's  Tail,  and 
will  find  all  the  Edges  bordered  with  the  Ornaments  of 
fhining  Silks,  and  Furbelows,  the  blending  Dyes  of  Hun- 
gary Point,  and  the  Magnificence  of  rich  Fringes.     When 
I  have  any  Furniture,  or  Drefs  to  adjuft,  *^tis  here  I   come 
for    Counfel.      Che^valier,    you    may    take  a  full  View 
of  them,  if  you  pleafe ;    I  only  defire  you  not  to   prefs 
them  Vv^ith  your  Fingers,  left  you  rub  off  the  Feathers. 

Chev.  Feathers,  Madam  I  I  fhould  imagine  that  what 
a  Butterfly  difcoiours  us  with,  could  be  nothing  but  Duft. 
Whenever  I  have  caught  any  of  them,  my  Fingers  were 
covered  with  a  fine  Powder,  of  the  fame  Colour  with  the 
Creature. 

Countefs.  That  Powder*,  as  thefe  Gentlemen  have 
Ihewn  me,  is  a  Clufter  of  little  Feathers  ending,  at  one 
Extremity,  in  a  Quill,  and,  on  the  other,  rounded  and 
adorned  with  Fringe  ;  the  Extremity  of  one  covers  the  Be- 
ginning of  another.    They  are  fixed  in  perfedl  Order,  like 

*  Lewwinhdi^Ci  Arcan.  Nat.  p.  3.  Bpill.  i/^6t 

the 


38  DIALOGUE    II. 

the  Feathers  of  Birds,  and  when  you  wipe  them  off,  the 
Wing  that  remains  is  only  a  fine  tranfparent  Film,  where 
yoa  may  difcover  the  Sockets  in  which  the  Qijill  of  each 
Feather  was  funk.  But  that  you  may  have  no  farther 
Doubt  of  this  Matter,  caft  your  Eyes  upon  the  laft  Com- 
partment, where  I  have  fcattered  upon  a  Lay  of  Giew, 
the  Dull  of  all  Sorts  of  Butterflies. 

CoHtit.  Here's  a  Microfcope,  Sir,  that  will  enable  you 
to  change  this  Duft  into  Feathers. 

Che^v.  Nothing  can  be  more  certain  than  what  the 
Lady  has  been  declaring.  Inftead  of  difcovering  the  leaft 
Grain  of  Powder,  I  fee  nothing  but  beautiful  Plumes, 
whofe  Colours  have  a  Livelinefs,  and  Variety  that  enchant 
me. 

Countefs.  Since  you  are  not  difpleafed.  Sir,  with  my 
Amufements,  1  will  entertain  you  to  morrow  with  my 
Silk-Worms.  It  will  give  you  a  real  Pleafure  to  fee  all 
the  Labourers  at  work,  efpecially  when  they  are  forming 
their  Thread;  but  unhappily  for  us,  the  Time  for  this 
Sight  is  elapfed,  and  you  muil  defer  your  Vifit  till  the  next 
Summer,  when,  1  hope,  you  will  favour  us  with  your 
Company  three  Months,  inftead  of  one. 


^he  End  of  the  fecond  D  i  a  l  o  g  u  e. 


S  I  L  K- 


Of  r  N  SECTS  39 


S  I  L  K  -  W  O  R  M  S. 


Dialogue  IIL 

T'he  Countess,, 
The  Prior,  and 
The  Che  V  ALiER* 

Countefs.  nr^  H  E  Count  has  taken  a  little  Journey  for 
J[  two  or  three  Days ;  but  for  all  that  we 
may  proceed  in  our  Conferences.  Silk- Worms  are  to  be  our 
Speculation  To-day  ;  and  we  can  enter  upon  this  Subjeft 
without  any  Airiftance  from  Books  or  Learning.  I  have 
brought  up  fo  many  of  thofe  Creatures  from  my  Infancy, 
that  I  am  able  ta  entertain  you  with  their  Labours,  and 
the  Prefent  we  receive  from  them;  but  'tis  poflible  the 
Chevalier  may  be  as  well  acquainted  with  them  as  my- 
felf. 

Che^u.  I  have  fometimes  heard  People  fpeak  of  them, 
and  feveral  of  my  Friends  breed  them  up  in  Boxes ;  but 
I  was  never  fuffered  to  have  any  myfelf,  and  was  even 
debarred  from  feeing  thofe  that  belong  to  others  ;  fo  that 
one  would  have  imagined  thefe  little  Animals  had  been 
infedious. 

Countefs,  Thofe  were  Prejudices  indeed.  For  my  part, 
I  have  had  Silk- Worms  all  my  Life-time;  though  for 
fome  Years  paft,  I  have  refigned  this  Amufement  to  my 
Daughters :  They  feed  them,  keep  them  clean,  and  equal- 
ly f^e  them ;  they  are  entirely  pleafed  with  this  Em- 
ploym^t,  and  never  find  the  leaft  Inconvenience  in  it, 

becaufe^ 


40  DIALOGUE    Ilf. 

becaufe  the  Infed   is  very   agreeable;    and  whenever  it 
grows  Tick,  they  throw  it  away. 

Che'v.  I  fhould  take  it  as  a  very  great  Favour,  Madam^ 
if  you  would  acquaint  me  how  thofe,  who  are  to  be 
brought  up,  mufl  be  managed ;  and  in  what  manner  you 
make  ufe  of  their  Labours. 

Countefs,  There  are  two  Methods  of  Rearing  them; 
You  may  let  them  thrive  and  expiate  in  full  Liberty  upon 
the  Trees  that  nourifh  them  :  Or  you  may  keep  them  at 
Home,  in  a  Place  particularly  accommodated  to  that  Pur- 
pofe,  taking  care  to  fupply  them  every  Day  with  freih 
Leaves.  The  Prior  has  made  an  Experiment  of  the  firfl 
Method;  and  I  will  defu'e  him  to  give  us  his  Opinion  of  it. 

Prior,  'Tis  true :  I  had,  fome  Years  ago,  the  Curiofity 
to  make  this  Ufe  of  the  Mulberry-trees  that  grow  under 
my  Chamber  Windows ;  and  I  lodged  upon  them  a  Num- 
ber of  Silk-Worms,  who  fucceeded  very  well  without  my 
interfering  in  the  leaft.  They  pradife  the  fame  in  China^ 
Tunquin,  and  other  hot  Countries.  The  Butterflies,  who 
(pringfrom  Worms,  or  rather  Caterpillars,  who  fpin  Silky 
chufe  a  proper  Part  of  the  Mulberry-tree  to  depoiit  their 
Eggs  upon;  and  there  they  fallen  them,  with  that  Sort 
of  Glew  which  mofl  Infeds  are  provided  with,  for  diffe- 
rent Purpofes.  Thefe  Eggs  remain  there  all  the  Autumn, 
and  Winter,  without  the  leaft  Injury ;  and  the  Manner  in 
which  they  are  fixed  and  difpofed,  fhelters  them  from 
the  Frofts  that  fometimes  don't  fpare  the  Tree  itfelf.  The 
Young  conligned  to  the  Care  of  an  afFedionate  and  tender 
Providence,  never  quits  the  Egg  till  its  Suftenance  is  pro- 
vided for  it,  and  the  Leaves  begin  to  fhoot  from  their  Buds : 
But  when  once  thofe  Leaves  are  expanded,  the  Worms 
break  their  Shells,  and  difperfe  themfelves  over  the  Ver- 
dure ;  by  Degrees  they  increafe  in  Bulk,  and  at  the  End 
of  a  few  Months,  dillribute  upon  the  fame  Tree,  little 
JBalk  of  Silk,  which,  look  like  golden  Apples  amidft  the- 
beautiful  Green  that  embellifhes  and  contrafts  them.  This; 
Method  of  nourifhing  them  is  moil  conducive  to  their 
Health,  and  occafions  the  leaft  Trouble;  but  the  Inequa-- 
lity  of  our  Climate  makes  it  liiible  to  many  ill  Conveni- 
ences that  are  not  to  be  remedied.  'Tis  true,  we  might 
with  Nets,  or  fome  other  Invention,  preferve  the  Worms 
from  the  Depredations  of  Birds :   But  the  Severity  of  the 

cold 


0/   I  N  S  E  C  T  S-  41 

old  Seafon,  which  fuddenly  fucceeds  the  firft.  Heats  very 
Vequently,  and  befides  this,  Rai^s  and  violent  Winds 
nake  a  general  Deflruaion.  'Tis  neceflary  therefore  to 
)ring  them  up  in  the  Houfe,  in  the  Manner  her  Ladyfhip 
)raaifes ;  and  I  beg  the  Favour  of  her  to  let  us  into  the 

Countefi  We  chufe  a  Room  in  a  good  Air  *,  and  where 
he  Sun  has  a  free  Admiflion.  This  Apartment  muft  be 
lefended  from  the  Blafts,  by  Windows  well  glazed,  or 
frames  of  llrong  Cloth.  Care  nwift  likewife  be  taken  that 
he  Walls  be  well  plaillered,  and  the  Floor  very  firm.  In  a 
vord,  all  the  Avenues  mud  be  inacceflible  to  Infeds,  Rats 
md  Birds.  In  the  middle  of  the  Room  you  mufl  raife 
bur  Columns  or  Pieces  of  Wood  that  may  form  a  large 
square.  From  one  Column  tojthe  other,  feveral  Hurdles, 
nade  of  Ofier  Twigs,  muft  be  extended  in  Ranges  one 
ibove  another,  and  under  every  Range  there  mufl  be  a 
Floor,  bordered  round  with  a  Ledge ;  thefe  Floors  ilide 
nto  a  Groove,  and  may  be  fixed  or  difplaced  at  Pleafure. 

When  the  Worms  have  left  their  Eggs 
tis  cuilomory  to  fpread  fome  foft  Leaves  of       Their  Su- 
:he  Mulberry  Tree  over  the  Linen  or  Paper    ftenance. 
)f  the  Box,    where  they  were  hatched,  ^nd 
.vhich  is  then  large  enough  to  contain  a  great  Number  of 
them.     When  they  have  gained  a  little  Strength,    they 
muft  be  diftributed  upon  Beds  of  Leaves,  along  the  Ranges 
Df  the  Square,  that  is  in  the  middle  of  the  Room,  and  round 
^vhich  there  fhould  be  a  freePaffage.     They  fatten  upon 
the  Leaves,    or  elfe  on  the  Oiler  Twigs,  when  [i^ey^^ve 
jaten  the  Leaves.     They  are  furnilhed  with  a  Thread,  by 
which  they  fufpend  themfelves  as  they  have  Occafion;  and 
by  this  means  avoid  the  Shock  of  a  Fall.     Every  Mornmg 
they  muft  be  fupplied  with  freih  Leaves  lightly  fcattered 
Dver  them  in  an  uniform  Manner.     The  Silk  Worms,  upon 
this,  immediately  quit  the  old  Leaves^  which  muft  be  all 
removed,   and  care  taken  that  the  Inle6ls  be  not  carried 
away  with  them ;   and  therefore  'tis  neceffary  to  employ 
a  dilx:reet  and  diligent  Servant,    whofe  Bufmefs  muft  be  to 
feed  and  keep  them  clean  in  a  proper  Manner;    for  no- 
thing injures  thefe  Creatures  fo  much  as  Moifture  and  Im- 

*  Marc.  Hieron.  Vida  Bombyc.  c.  i. 

purity. 


42  DIALOGUE    III. 

purity.  In  order  to  preferve  them  from  the  Diftempers 
to  which  they  are  fubjed,  the  firfl  Care  of  the  Governefs 
fhould  be,  to  gather  Leaves  for  them  in  a  dry  Seafon,  and 
preferve  them  in  a  Place  where  no  Moifture  can  come ; 
fhe  muH  likevvife  do  this  before  the  Rains  fall,  that  fhe  may 
not  be  obliged  to  dry  the  Leaves,  and  make  her  young 
Nurfery  fometimes  fail:,  which  would  foon  be  very  pre- 
judicial to  them  ;  for  thefe  minute  Animals  being  to  live 
but  a  fhort  Period,  make  the  bell  of  their  Time,  and  are 
always  eating  to  the  very  lad  Seafon  of  their  Moulting ; ; 
after  which  they  continue  to  live  almoil  as  much  longer 
without  feeding  at  all.  When  the  Mulberry  Leaves  hap- 
pen to  fail,  you  may,  till  there  is  a  new  Supply,  give 
them  the  Leaves  of  Lettuce  or  Holly- Oak,  tho'  this  is  a! 
Collation  they  have  very  little  Relilh  for.  NecelTity  alone j 
obliges  them  to  fubmit  to  it ;  and  the  Silk  they  then  fpin 
has  evident  Marks  of  the  CelTation  of  their  ufual  Food, 
and  proves  but  indifferent. 

There  is  another  Precaution  almoft  as  neceflary  as  the 
Choice  and  good  Management  of  their  Provifions,  and 
that  is,  to  let  frelh  Air  into  the  Room  from  Time  to  Time, 
in  a  fine  Sun-fhine ;  and  to  keep  as  neat  as  pofTible,  not  onfy 
the  Floors  appointed  to  receive  the  Fragments  of  their  Leaves 
and  other  Impurities,  but  likewife  all  the  Place  in  general. 

Cleanlinefs  and  good  Air  greatly  contribute  to  their  Wel- 
fare and  Growth,  We  now  come  to  the  different  Stages 
through  which  they  pafs. 

The  Worm,  when  it  leaves  the  Egg^  is  extreamly  fmall/ 
It  is  likewile  perfedly  black  ;  but  its  Head  is  of  a  more 
ihining  Sable  than  the  reH:  of  its  Body.  In  a  few  Days  it 
begins  to  affume  a  v/hitifh  Hue,  or  an  Afh  Gray.  After  this, 
its  Coat  fullies,  and  becomes  ragged,  at  which  time  the  Ani-^ 
mal  calls  it  off,  and  appears  in  a  nev/  Habit.  It  increafes  in 
Bulk,  and  grows  whiter,  tho'  a  little  tending  to  the  Green,: 
with  which  it,  is  replenifhed.  After  a  few  Days,  the  Num- 
ber of  which  varies  according  to  the  Degree  of  Heat,  the 
Quality  of  its  Food,  and  the  Conftitution  of  the  Animal, 
it  cealcs  to  feed,  and  fleeps  almoft  two  Days ;  at  the  End 
of  which  'tis  exceedingly  agitated  and  tormented,  and  grows' 
almoft  red  with  the  Efforts  it  ufes.  Its  Skin  wrinkles  and 
fhrinks  into  Folds,  and  the  Infed  then  divefts  itfelf  of  it  a 
fecond  Time^   and  throws  it  afide  with  its  Feet.      It  now 

appears 


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it, 
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,Ji/A  V/^r/nj. 


42 


,m/A  W^/nj 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  43 

pears  In  its  third  Kabit,    and  very  magnificent  it  is, 
nfidering  it  is  farniihed  out  in  the  Space  of  three  Weeks 

a  Month.     It  begins  to  eat  again,  and  you  would  then 
ce  it  for  another  Animal,    fo  different  are  its  Head,    its 
)loar,    and  whole  Form,    from  what  they  were  before, 
•ter  it  has  continued  eating  for  fome  Days,  it  relapfes  in- 
its  Lethargy  ;  at  the  Conciufion  of  which  it  quits  its  Co- 
ring,   as  ufual ;  That  is  to  fay,    it  divefls  itfelf  of  three 
[Ferent  Skins  from  the  Time  it  leaves  the  Egg.     It  conti- 
es  feeding  fome  Time  longer;    and  at  lad  entertains  a 
ifrelifh  for  the  World  and  its  Enjoyments :   It  renounces 
[  Fealls  and  Society,  and  prepares  for  Solitude,  by  build- 
g  with  its  Thread  a  little  Cell  of  a  raviiliing  Strudure 
d  Beauty.     But  before  I  introduce  it  into  this  Manfion,  I 
ould  be  glad  to  be  informed  by  the  Prior,  who  has  care- 
Uy  examined  all  thefe  Operations,    what  is  the  inward 
rrangement  of  a  Silk  Worm's  Body ;    and  from  vyhence 

receives  the  Materials  of  that  beautiful  Thread  it  pre- 
nts  us  withf  and  how  the  Creature  manufadures  it- 
ou  learned  People  difcover  that  with  youjr  dalTes^  which. 
udes  the  moil  attentive  Eyes. 

Prior.    In  a  few  Words,  Madam,  this  is 
le  Anatomy  of  a  Silk-Worm ;    at  which        The   Am- 
our Ladyfhip  may  aflift  with  all  imagina-     tomy    of    a 
le  Decency.     This  Worm,    like  other  Ca-     Silk-Worm. 
irpiilars,    is  compofed  of   feveral  elaitick 
ings,  and  is  likewife  accommodated  with  Feet  and  Claws, 
)   fix  itfelf  in  a  convenient  Situation.     It  has  a  little  Skull 
)  cover  the  Subfrance  of  the  Brain,    v/hich  defcends  and  is 
Dmmunicated  by  fmall  Vertebras,    from  one  Extremity  of 
f  the  Body  to  the  other.  *     It  has  two  Rows  of  Teeth  in 
;s  Mouth,  which  don't  move  up  and  down  like  ours,  but 
irork  from  the  Right  to  the  Left :   Thefe  Teeth  enable  it 
0  faw  and  dilacerate  the  Leaf.     Wlien  the  Animal  cuts  it, 
lie  preiTes  one  fide  of  the  Leaf,    and  proceeds  with  a  ilan- 
ing  Motion,    as  we  ourfelves  would  cut  it  with  a  Pair  of 
jcifTars,    by  continuing  from  the  Top    to  the  Bottom  f , 
Dne  may  eafily  diftinguifh  the  Palpitation  of   its  Heart,, 
vhich  cannot  be  performed  without  proper  Veffels  to  cir- 

*Leuwenhoek,  Area n.  Nat.  Tom.  iii.  Ep.  146. 
t  Malpigh.  ibid. 

culate 


44  DIALOGUE     III. 

culate  a  Fluid  through  the  whole  Body.      From  the  Heaci 
to  the  Extremity  of  the  Tail,  is  extended  a  kind  of  littb, . 
Nerve,    which  we  call  the  Spine ;   becaufij 
The  Spine,    it  inclofes,    in  the  Joints  that  form  it,    ii 
Marrow  like  the  Brain  :    This  Spine  that  i 
placed  in  the  Middle  of  the  Body,    and  continued  thro|, 
its  whole  Length,    fuftains  the  Heart  and 
TKe  Heart       Lungs.     The  former  of  thefe  is  a  Tube  exi 
and  Lungs.  tended  through  the  whole  Length  of  the,: 

Worm,  and  is  compofed  of  feveral  minute. 
Cells,  which  enlarge  the  Middle,  and  diminifh  at  thePoint^'i 
of  Contaa,  and  is  compofed  of  many  oval  VefTels.  Thej 
Lungs  are  a  double  Chain  extended  on  each  Side,  and  com-ii 
pofed  of  feveral  Rings  which  correfpond  with  the  OriiicesI 
we  fee  diltributed  along  the  exterior  Sides  of  the  Worm.ll 
It  is  through  thefe  Openings  that  the  Air  flows  into  the! 
Lungs,  and  by  its  Spring  and  Expanfion,  promotes  the! 
Circulation  of  the  Chyle  or  Humour  which  nouriflies  thej 
Silk-Worm,  as  we  have  found  by  Experience.  Drop  aif 
little  Oil  upon  the  Head,  the  Back,  or  Belly  of  this  Infe^^,,! 
It  will  ftill  continue  alive;  but  if  you  rub  Oil,  Butter,.|l 
vSewet,  or  any  other  fuch  fat  and  thick  Matter,  on  the 
Sides  of  the  Creature,  you  then  obftruathe  Vents,  which* 
convey  the  Air  to  the  Lungs:  and  accordingly  it  im-me- , 
diately  falls  into  Convulfions  and  dies,  unlefs  you  relieve  | 
it  by  renewing  the  Communicatiou  of  the  Air.  j 

Between  the  Heart  and  Lungs,    are  the  Ventricles  and  f 
Inteflines,  where  the  Digeflion  is  performed.  1 
The    Ijite-      The  whole  Syftem  of  thefe  Veflels  is  incom-  ,[ 
ft^'ies  pafled  with  almoft  innumerable  Folds  and  ,' 

Windings,     formed    by  a  very   long   and.  i 
ilender  Bag,  which  contains  a  fort  of  Gum,. 
The  Bag  of    coloured  like    a  Marigold,     of  which  the  i 
Cum,  Worm  makes  its  Silk. 

You  may  have  fometimes  feen  in  the 
Work-Rooms  of  Goldfmiths ,  or  Gold  Wire- Drawers, 
thofe  Iron  Plates  that  are  pierced  thro'  with  Holes  of  un- 
equal Dimenfions,  throw  which  they  draw,  and  lelTen  at 
Pleafure,  Gold  or  Silver  Wire.  Thefe  Plates  are  called 
Wire-drawing  Irons.  The  Silk-Worm  has  under  her  Mouth 
fuch  a  kind  of  Inftrument  perforated  with  a  Pair  of  Holes, 
thro'  which  fhe  draws  tv/o  Drops  of  the  Gum  that  fills  her 

Bag 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  45 

»  Thefe  are  like  a  Couple  of  DiftafFs,  that  conti- 
aHy  fupply  the  Materials  out  of  which  fhe  fpins  her 
hread.     She  fixes  both  thefe  Drops  where  ^^^^ 

s  pleafes,  and  then  draws  back  her  Head,     ^^^  ^^ 

lets  herfelf  fell.    The  Gum  that  flows    „i„g, 
ro'  thefe  Openings,    receives  their  Form, 
d  lengthens  into  a  double  Thread,    which  immediately 
fes  the  Fluidity  of  the  Liquor  that  compofes  it,  and  ac- 
lires  a  Confiftence  fufficient  to  fuftain  or  enfold  the  Worm 

the  proper  Seafon.  She  is  never  deceived  m  adjufting 
e  Dimenfions  of  the  two  Apertures,  or  calculating  the 
leThicknefs  of  the  Thread:  She  always  makes  the 
rength  of  it  proportionable  to  the  Weight  of  her  Body, 
le  unites  the  two  Threads  by  glewing  one  over  the  other 
ith  her  fore  Paws ;  and  when  the  Time  for  making  tier 
one  comes,  ihe  employs  the  Fingers  that  her  Paws  are 
rnifhed  with,  in  either  twilling  or  glewing  the  two 
'hreads  together,  or  fixing  her  Silk  fometimes  m  one 
[ace,  and  fometimes  in  another;  and  I  affure  you  I  have 
equently  flood  ftill  to  obferve  the  graceful^  Attitude  in 
hich  fhe  fpins,  as  well  as  the  Induftry  thatihmes  through 

1  her  Work.  _,  .  ,  ,         , . 

It  would  be  a  very  curious  Thing  to  know  how  this 
um  which  compofes  the  Thread,  is  feparated  and  drawn 
[F from  the  other  Juices  that  nourifh  the  Animal.  It  mult 
:  accomplifh'd  like  the  Filtrations  and  Secretions  of  lome 
[umours  formed  in  an  human  Body.  I  am  alfo  perfuaded 
lat  the  Silk- Worm,  at '  the  Entrance  into  the  long  Bag 
'e  fiave  been-  defcribing,  is  furnilhed  with  a  Set  of  little 
ilands,  which  being  impregnated  with  Gum,  afford  a  tree 
aflage  into  the  Bag,  to  all  the  Juices  of  the  Mulberry 
,eaf  that  correfpond  with  this  glutinous  Matter,  and  ex- 
lude  every  Fluid  of  a  different  Quality.  As  to  the  Re- 
lainder  of  the  Aliment;  one  Part,  ty  Virtue  of  "sFine- 
efs.  is  received  into  little  Veffels  which  convey  the  Chy.e, 
r  nutrimental  Juices  to  the  Heart.  The  other  Part, 
/hich  is  the  Dregs,  meets  with  Paffages  proportioned  to 
■s  Groffnefs.  But  I  tire  you  with  my  Differtation,  and 
,nd,  that,  whenever  the  Cff«»;e/i  is  filent.  'CIS  all  loft  Tune 
0  the. Chevaliek-*''^^  '■'■'^  ■'' 

Chev.  Let  me  have  your  Ladyfhip's  Permiffion  to  con- 
radift  the  Prior  a  little.  I  never  had  a  Moment's  Unea- 
[[u  fineis 


46        DIALOGUE    III. 

finefs  in  his  Converfation,  and  when  I  find  any  Difficult 
m  his  Defcriptions,  I  am  eafed  of  it  by  bringing  him  upo 
the  fame  Subjea  another  time  But  I  confefs  I  am  verv  in 
patient  to  know,  how  Silk- Worms  and  other  Caterpi'lla 
■wrap  themfelves  up  in  their  own  Thread,  and  work 
into  an  Habitation  or  a  Tomb. 

Comuefs.  I  have  picked  up  by  Chance  three  *  or  fou 
Cones  of  thofe  Worms,  who  finifhed  their  Work  muc 
later  than  the  reft.  They  are  laid  in  a  Paper,  and  I  mui 
give  the  Chevailer  a  Sight  of  them. 

Chev.  How,  Madam  ?  are  the  Silk-Worms  within  ? 

Coutttefi.  Yes,  like  Solitaries  in  fo  many  Hermitages 
Jet  us  take  the  Sciffars  and  cut  open  the  Cones.  , 

In  the  iiift  Place,    take  Notice  of  the  Down  or  Flue 
which  IS  the  Heap  of  bad  Silk  you  fee  there,  fcattered  at  j 
Venture,    and  taking  up  a  great  deal  of  Room.     In  the 
next  Place,    you  may  fee  the  line  Silk  all  compaft,    and 
ran^d  with  the  utmoft  Propriety.      And  laftly,   obfervei 
•the  Shell,  which  IS  a  Compofition  of  Silk  and  Glew,  andi 
refembles  a  very  ftrong  Stuff.     Within  that  you  will  findi 
^he  Worm  in  Miniature,  and  changed  into  a  Nymph.   Take 
n  m  your  Hand.  ./  /-  n.6 

,  /^^.^.'pl^'^ade  likeaBean,  without  Feet,  Head,  or 
^ny  diftma  Part:  One  may  fee,  however,  feveral  little 
•Rmgs  that  gradually  diminilh  towards  the  Extremity,  and 
Aave  lome  Motion  when  they  are  preffed. 

..^''^^Jt}^''  ^■>y''  '^^'  '"*=^«f^*  *•»«  Body  of  the  But- 
terfly: The  Wings,  Feet,  Eyes,  Horns  are  all  there  now: 
*utm  a  manner  not  to  be  diftinguifhcd.  Fifteen  Days 
hence  the  whole  will  be  difengaged  ^ 

Chev.     But  if  the  Silk- Worm  is  concealed  under  the 

fw"^,  "^\''^^"'  regularly,  how  is  it  to  be  known  in 
what  manner  fhe  has  raifed  all  this  Work  > 

Countef.    Nothing  is  more  eafy :   When  the  Creature  is, 
SnTAr    J^'^-'^'r'  ^""i'^  '^''"^  ^"^  '**  J^ft  Transforma- 

leu  an  Afcode  without  Interrupticm.  We  ufually  cive  it. 
feme  little  Stalks  of  Broom,  or  a  Piece  of  Paper  rolled  up.  ■ 
T^Jm  "'■""■^'!.  ^"''^egins  to  move  its  Head  to  dif*  " 
Jerent  Places,   m  order  to  fallen  its  Thread  on  every,  Side... 

*  The  Cm  is  a  Bail  of  Silk  in  which  the  Worm  enfolds  itfdf. 

AU 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  47 

1  this  firft  Work  looks  like  Confufion,  but  it  is  not  with- 
t  Defign.  The  Worm  neither  arranges  its  Threads, 
r  difpofes  one  over  another ;  but  contents  itfelf  with  di- 
nding  a  fort  of  Cotton  or  Flue,  to  keep  ofF  the  Rain ;  for 
iture  having  ordained  them  to  work  under  Trees,  in  the 
en  Air,  they  never  change  their  Method,  when  they  are 
^n  rear'd  in  the  Houfe. 

When  my  Curiofity  led  me  to  know  how  they  fpun  and 
iced  their  beautiful  Silk,  I  took  feme  of  them,  and  fre- 
ently  removed  the  Flue,  with  which  they  firft  attempted 
make  themfelves  a  Covering  ;  and  as  I  weaken'd  them 
ceedingly,  when  they  were  at  laft  tired  with  beginning 
lew,  they  faftened  their  Threads  upon  what  came  in  their 
ly,  and  began  to  fpin  very  regularly  in  my  Prefence, 
nding  their  Heads  up  and  down,  and  then  crolling  to 
ery  Side.  The  Worm ,  at  that  time,  confined  its  Mo- 
)ns  to  a  very  contracted  Space,  and  by  Degrees  had  en- 
ely  furrounded  itfelf  with  Silk.  The  Remainder  of  the 
peration  is  invifible,  but  one  may  guefs  how  it  was  ac- 
mpliflied.     The  Animal,  to  finifh  its  Mantle,    drew  out 

its  Bag  a  Gum,  which  it  fpun  into  a  lefs  delicate  Silk, 
id  then  thicken'd  it  with  a  ftrong  Glew,  which  ferved  to 
nd  all  the  laft  Ranks  of  this  Silk  over  one  another. 
Here  then  are  three  Coverings  entirely  different,  which 
ford  her  a  SuccefTion  of  Shelter:  The  Flue  keeps  off  the 
ain ;  the  fine  Silk  forms  a  TiiTue  that  prevents  all  Accefs, 
'  Air ;  and  the  glew'd  Silk,  which  compofes  the  thick 
lell  that  touches  the  Worm,  not  only  repels  the  Water 
id  Air,  but  alfo  renders  the  Infide  of  this  Habitation  in- 
xeflible  to  the  Cold.  After  ihe  has  been  in  this  Retreat 
ng  enough  to  be  changed  into  a  Nymph,  by  divcfling 
erlelf  of  her  fourth  Skin,  and  to  be  transformed,  from  a 
lymph f  into  a  Butterfly,  by  a  gradual  Expanfion  of  her 
[orns.  Wings  and  Feet,  that  were  glewM  up  and  enfolded 
i  the  Nymph,  as  in  a  Cafe,  ''tis  then  time  for  her  to  make 
er  Appearance. 

Chev,  That  muft  be  a  difficult  Affair.  Is  fhe  provided 
ither  with  Saws,  or  a  Gimlet,  flrong  enough  to  pierce 
irough  the  Shell,  the  Silk,  and  the  Down  ?  In  my  Opi- 
ion  ihe  feems  to  be  flrongly  immured. 

CouTftefs.  That  Being  who  teaches  the  Worm  how 
3  buiW  herfelf  a  Place  of  Reft,  where  the  delicate  Limbs 

of 


48        DIALOGUE   III.  ' 

of  the  New  Animal  may  be  formed  without  Interrupt  aii 
mllruds  that  Animal  likewife  how  to  open  a  Paflage  foi 
its  Flight.  The  Cone  is  like  a  Pidgeon's  Egg,  and  more 
pointed  at  one  End  than  the  other.  The  Worm  does  not 
interweave  its  Silk  towards  this  Extremity,  nor  apply! 
its  Glew  there,  as  it  does  in  every  other  Part,  by  bend 
ing  itfelf  all  around,  with  great  Pliantnefs  and  Agility 
and  laflly,  Ihe  never  fails  to  fix  her  Head  oppolite  to  the 
pointed  Extremity;  and  I  will  acquaint  you  with  the 
Reafon :  This  Part  is  not  fo  ftrongly  cemented,  nor  ex- 
aftly  clofed  as  the  refi.  She  is  confcious,  this  is  to  be 
the  Paffage  for  the  other  Animal  (he  carries  in  her  Bowels, 
and  has  therefore  the  Precaution  never  to  place  this  Ex- 
tremity, or  pointed  End,  againft  any  Subilance  that  might 
obflrudl  the  Creature  at  the  Seafon  of  its  Egrefs.  When 
the  Worm  has  exhaufled  itfelf,  to  furnifh  the  Labour  and 
Materials  of  thefe  three  Coverings,  fhe  refigns  her  Form 
of  a  Worm,  her  Spoils  drop  all  around  the  Nymph,  who  is 
not  converted  into  a  perfe6l  Butterfly,  till  the  Expiration 
of  fifteen  Days,  or  three  Weeks,  and  fometimes  a  longer 
Space  of  Time.  This  new  Animal,  when  its  Formation 
is  compleated,  extends  its  Horns,  together  with  its  Head 
and  Feet,  towards  the  Point  of  the  Cone,  which,  not  being 
clofed  up  in  that  Part,  gradually  yields  to  its  Efforts  :  it  en- 
larges the  Opening,  andatlafl  comes  forth.  At  the  Bottom 
of  the  Cone,  the  Ruins  of  its  former  State  are  to  be  found, 
I  mean  the  Head  and  entire  Skin  of  the  Worm,  which 
then  bear  fome  Similitude  to  an  Heap  of  foul  Linen.  ^  I 
'  forgot  to  acquaint  you,  that  the  Butterfly,  before  h  quits 
its  Repofitory,  frees  itfelf  from  the  fuperfluous  Humidity, 
which  before  contributed  to  form  and  fortify  its  Limbs. 
This  Evacuation  foils  the  Ball,  and  very  much  damages 
the  Silk. 

Chev,  What  becomes  of  the  Butterfly  after  this? 

Countefs.  It  wanders,  but  a  little  Diftance,  from,  the 
Place  it  quitted.  The  Male  is  more  lively  and  fmaller 
than  the  Female.  She  is  larger,  becaufe  flie  is  full  of  Eggs, 
which  Ihe  lays  a  few  Days  after  ;  and  if  th,ey  have  an  Pro-' 
lificnefs,  they  change  their  Complexion  at  the  Approach 
of  Spring,  from  a  yellow  Citron  to  a  bluifli  Caft,  and  af- 
terwards an  Afli  Grey. 

3  Chev, 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  49 

Chsv.  At  prefent,  Madam,  I  am  anxious  to  know  in 
hat  Manner  you  wind  ofF  the  Sillc,  and  how  you  ufe  it. 
3r  if  the  Butterfly,  before  it  forfakes  the  Cone,  difcharges 
Liquor  that  corrupts  it,  and  if  flie  likcwife  pierces  a  Hole 
ro'  it,  it  muft  certainly  be  all  fpoiled. 
Countefs.  That  is  true ;  but  there  is  no  Ufe  made  of  thofe 
ones  which  are  pierced  in  this  Manner ;  and  befides  this, 
ire  is  taken  to  prevent  that  Inconvenience.  A  Female 
Ik- Worm  fometimes^  lays  above  five  hundred  Eggs, 
ou  fee  we  need  but  a  very  fmall  Number  of  Nymphs,  to 
>ck  the  Laboratory  for  the  enfuing  Year.  And  the  other 
Dnes,  from  whofe  Silk  we  propofe  to  make  any  Profit, 
B  expofed  in  the  open  Sun-fliine,  which,  in  Spite  of  all 
efe  different  TifTues,  penetrates  to  the  Nymph,  and  kills 
r  in  lefs  than  fix  or  feven  Hours,  and  before  fhe  has 
led  any  thing. 

Prior,  The  Cbevalior  will  be  difTatisfied,  unlefs  we  like- 
fe  teach  him  how  to  wind  off  the  Silk. 
Countefs,  When  we  intend  to  feparate  the  Silk  from  the 
)nes,  the  Down  muft  be  cleared  away  in  the  firft  Place; 
d  the  Cones,  with  their  Silk,  are  then  thrown  into  warm 
ater ;  where  they  are  ftirred  about  with  Twigs,  in  order 
come  at  the  Heads  or  Beginnings  of  the  Silk.  Thefe 
5  drawn  through  little  Rings,  to  prevent  the  Cones  from 
ing  too  high,  when  the  Silk  is  faftened  to  the  Reel,  and 
lu  begin  to  wind  it.  They  alfo  join  together  the  Silk  of 
reral  Cones,  to  a  certain  Number,  as  fix  ;  but  generally 
;ht,  and/ometimes  more,  according  as  the  Silk  is  intended 
be  made  more  or  lefs  flrong.  The  Cones  remain  in  the 
ater  till  they  ceafe  to  furniSi  any  more  Silk.  But  thofe 
10  wind  it,  don't  wait  till  it  is  all  exhaufted;  becaufe  it 
anges  its  Colour  and  grows  weaker  toward  the  End.  But 
m  this  laft  Part  of  the  Silk  is  not  without  its  Beauty,  and 
ly  wind  it  off  by  itfelf  As  to  the  Cones,  they  are  ufe- 
on  feveral  Occafions.  Some  People  ftain  them  with  a 
iriety  of  Colours,  and  form  them  into  artificial  Flowers, 
lich  are  fometimes  flnilhed  with  the  utmoft  Perfedion. 
le  common  Pradice  is ,  to  leave  them  in  the  Water,  till 
the  Glew  be  evacuated,  and  then  they  are  carded  like 
ool,  and  yield  a  kind  of  filken  Flax ;  which  is  fpun  with 
iVheel,  in  order  to  weave  it  into  Stuffs  of  a  moderate  Va- 
>.    But  I  am  very  indifcreet  to  trouble  you  with  all  the 

D  Parti^ 


50  DIALOGUE    III. 

Particulars  of  this  Work.     Make  the   Prior  a  Vifit,  Sir 

He  has  invented  a  Reel  of  a  particular  Form,  with  which 

you  may  learn  to  wind  off  the  Silk  very  If^^^fj-  .         I 

'    Prior    It  was  merely  to  fatisfy  her  Ladylhips  Curiofity, 

and  to  know  the  exad  Length  of  the  Silk  produced  by 

thefe  Worms,    that  I  ordered  a  little  Reel  to  be  made^ 

each  of  whofe  four  Sides,  contains  three  Inches  in  Length, 

But  fmce  I  have  compleated  my  Experiment,  I  renounce 

the  Trade  for  the  future.  .    ,      ,    .  t>-        r 

Counters.  But  what  do  you  gam  by  thele  Dimenhons. 

Prior.  The  four   Sides,    taken  together,    are   equal  tc 

twelve  Inches,  or  a  Foot ;  I  am  fure  then,  that  each  Turn 

of  the  Silk,  upon  the  Machine,  is  equivalent  to  that  Mea- 

fure    and  fometimes  a  little  more ;    becaufe   the  Rounds 

are  enlareed,  when  they  fold  over  one  another.     At  ever): 

Turn  of  the  Handle,  I  wind  off  a  Foot  of  Silk ;    I  hav< 

onV  then  to  reckon,  how  often  I  turn  the  Handle  of  th( 

Wheel  for  one  Silk- Worm,  in  order  to  know,  at  the  fam« 

Time,  how  many  Feet  it  produces. 

Count efs.  You  are  certainly  in  the  Right ;  and  have  yoi 
made  the  Experiment,  Sir  ? 

Prior.  1  made  it  upon  two  Cones  of  bilk,  and  found  mm 
Hundred  and  twenty-four  Feet  in  one,  and  nine  Hundrec 
and  thirty  in  the  other.  Take  Notice,  if  you  pleafe,  tha 
the  Thread  is  double,  and  glewed  one  over  tne  other 
through  its  whole  Length,  which  confequently  amounts  t< 
near  two  Thoufand  Feet  of  Thread.  ^  ^^  ,  ,  , 
Countefs.  We  mull  only  compute  nine  Hundred  andt 
thirty,  becaufe  we  receive  the  Thread  in  the  fame  Con 
ditlon  from  the  Silk-Worm.  I  allure,  you.  Sir.  I  di.| 
not  expeft  half  that  Quantity,  and  entirely  depend  upon 
yo'ar  Exa6lnef3. 

Prior.  Befides  this,  I  made  another  Remark  :  I  we^gh 
ed  the  nine  Hundred  and  thirty  Feet  of  Silk.  The  Che^ 
rvalier  knows  that  a  Pound  contains  two  Marks,  a  Man 
eight  Ounces,  an  Ounce  eight  Drams,  a  Dram  three  Pen 
ny-v/eights,  and  a  Penny- weight,  four  and  twenty  Grains 
which  laft  is  a  V/eight  fo  inconfiderable,  that  a  Breathe 
Wind  eafily  wafts  it  away.    The  nine  Hundred  and  thirt 

•*  Beyle  dc  Subtilit.  Effi'-v. 

Fe< 


0/IN  SECTS.  5j 

;et  of  Silk  weighed  with  the  greateft  Exadnefs,    were 
)  heavier  than  tjvo  Grains  and  a  half. 
Coumfs.po  you  know  the  DifFe'rence   between  this 

the  World?'''  ""^'^^  ^^  '^^  ^''P^"^^^  ^P'"^^"" 

a^-v  The  fame  that  tiiere  is  between  a  Rope,  and  a 
ring  of  Packthread.    .  i-  ,   «» u  * 

Countefs.  Rather  fay,  between  a  needleful  of  fine  Thread 
id  the  largeft  Cable.     But  let  us  take  a  Walk    Gentle 
en    and  enjoy  the  Benefit  of  the  Air.    What'  Ihall  be 
e  bubjed  of  our  Converfation  To-morrow  ? 
Prior.  What  your  Ladyfliip  pleafes  to  appoint 
Countefs.  In  Reality,    I  am  very   much  tempted  to  be 
e  of  your  Party.     But  it  ftiall  not  be  faid,  that  you  ad! 

n  Tf^VT  ^'"^f  y  ""^'^^y  ^^  ^'^  n^e  Honour.     1 
11  be  faithful  to  the  Laws  of  the  Company,  and  intend 

affift  regularly  at  your  Aflemblies;    but,   if  vou  pleafe 
fliall  be  upon  Condition,  that  you  confine  your  Spe'-ula- 
Th.^K-^  Capacity:  As  many  Remarks  as  you   pleafe 
the  Things  I  know.     Let  us  talk  of  Gardens,    Herbs 
uits,  and  domeftick  Animals :    I  have  fome  4all  Ac 
amtance  with  what  we  fee  every  Day;   but  pray  doVt 
jend  to  make  me  foar  to  Heights  I  ^cln  nevSach 
Pr..r.  You    yourfdf,  Madam,    fliail  be  our  Prefident 
d  regulate  the  Subjeft  of  our  Conferences 
Countefs.   I  take  you  at  your  WordV  and  if  vou  pleaf-- 
•  will  purfue  our  Subjeft  of  Spinnino-  •    A  ?ev^  D.,-  -^ 
u  defcribed  a  Spider's  ManL  of^orting!  "^^Z  T,?; 
nember  the  Pleafure  with  which  your  Acc^mt  was  rZ 
.ved._   No  one  expefled  to  find  fo  much  Skill  and  Ko. 

irance  'cA.  ^'^  7^'  "'?'"  ^""'^  ^  difagreeable  Ap- 
irance.  Chevaher,  I  promife  you  this  Defcription  f)r 
ar  Entertainment  To-morrow  ;  but  advife  you  to  do  ore 
mg  in  the  Interim.  ^   -^  to  uo  oue 

Che'v.  What  may  that  be,  Madam  ? 
Lo-Mefs.  lo  pp.fs  away  a  little  Time  with  feme  Weaver  ■ 
7  are  numerous  enough  in  this  Country,  and  it  mTy  bl 
.per  for  you  to  be  very  exacl.  in  obferVing  how  ti; 
ke  our  Cloth,  that  you  may  the  more  ealy  corA4^ 
d  the  Defcription.  the  Prior  will  give  us,  of  a  S^  a>' 
:.hod  of  working;  in  Re.,llty,  the  one  will  affift  vc' 
underhand  the  others  You  n^.uft  expert,  inde.tVi^ 

D  z 


Ver'v 


52  DIALOGUE   III.  | 

very  poor  People  ;  but  their  Trade  wiU  give  you  abun 
dance  of  Satisfaftion.  The  Invention  of  U  .s  ancient 
though  it  will  appear  a  Novelty  to  you.  and  you  will  di{ 
cover  Ingenuity  enough  there,  to  return  very  well  fatisfie. 
with  my  Advice,  as  well  as  With  what  you  IhaU  happei 

°  Ch'ev.  Will  your  Ladyftiip  be  pleafed  to  let  me  tak 
one  of  your  Servants  with  me,  to  Ihew  jnc  the  Way  I 

Prior  With  your  Permiffion,  Sir,  I  ftiall  charge  myfel 
with  that  Care,  and  it's  proper  I  (hould  be  there  toferv 
vou  as  an  Interpreter.  Thefe  Good  People  fpeak  a  Lan 
ffuaee  you  are  quite  unacquainted  with,  and  I  am  not  ver] 
terain  they  will  underftand  yours, 

Countefi.  Che'valier,  pray  accept  of  thefe  two  Crown, 
perhaps,  you  may  be  unprovided  xyith  Money,  and  it  . 
proper  to  make  them  a  fmall  Acknowledgment ;  whei 
you  fpeak  to  them  by  a  Prefent,  you  need  no  other  Ini 
terpreter. 

^e  End  of  the  third  Dialogue. 


I 


SPIDERS 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  53 


SPIDERS. 


Dialogue  IV. 


T'he  Countess, 
The  Prior,  and 
The  Chevalier. 

)unte/s.£^He*vaIter,  before  we  come  to  your  Infefts,    I 
V^  Ihould  be  glad  to  know  your  Thoughts  of  a 
eaver^s  Loom ;  do  you  now  diilinguifh  the  Warp  *  from 
2  Woof  f. 

Cheo).  1  am  Mafler  of  all  this,  and  can  tell  you  the  Ufe 
the  Treadles  §5  and  Stays  ||,    as  well  as  the  Comb  J, 

uttle  **,  and ^ 

Countefs,  He  is  going  to  tell  us  the  Name  of  tvtry 
rt  of  a  Loom.  1  fancy  you  did  not  think  your  Enter- 
nment  low,  or  difagreeable. 

*  The  Warp  is  the  Thread  which  is  fixed  on  the  Loom. 

\  The  Woof  is  a  Thread  that  paffes  with  the  Shuttle  crofs  the 

irp. 

)  The  Treadles  are  Pieces  of  Wood  which  the  Weaver  alternately 

^ers  with  his  Feet,  in  order  to  raife,  and  fall  the  Stays. 

II  The  Stays   are  two   Ranges  of  Threads  hung  on  PuUies,  the 

>rking  of   which   alternateJy,    raifes  and  falls  fome  Part  of  the 

read  of  the  Warp. 

:  This  Inftrument  is  a    long  Comb,  crofs  which    pafs   all    the 

reads  of  the  Warp,  and  which  ferves  to  compaa  the  new  Thread 

h  the  preceding. 

*  The  Shuttle  is  a  little  Inftrument  made  of  Box,  in  Form  of  a 
p;  in  the  Middle  of  which  theWeaver  inferts  the  Woof,  that  plays 
through  a  little  Hole, 

D  3  Chev. 


54  DIALOG  U  E  IV. 

Chsnj.  Nothing  ever  amufed  me  better,  and  I  am  very 
delirous  of  feeing  all  the  Implements  of  each  Artifan  on^ 
after  another.  I  cannot  comprehend  why  they  fhould  b« 
concealed  from  us.  If  by  Chance  you  Hop  to  take  a  View 
of  aji  Handicraft's-man's  Wo^k^  you  immediately  meet 
with  People,  who,  wi|h  a  vei-y  Terious  Air,  afk  you  what 
you  are  amufing  yourfelf  with,  and  give  you  to  under- 
iland,  that  you  are  attentive  to  what  is  much  beneath 
you. 

Count efs.  I  am  exceedingly  pleafed  with  the  Che^alter''% 
Chagrin,  they  may  make  a  great  Affair  to  him,  if  they 
pleaie,  of  his  Lathis  and  other  neceflary  Sciences  ;  but  why 
ihould  he  not  be  likewife  permitted  to  amufe  himfelf  with 
the  moft  common  Employments  of  Life,  that  are  conllant- 
ly  pradlifed? 

Frm\  There  would  be  fomething  much  above  a  mere 
Amufcment,  to  be  gained  by  it.  The  Judgment  would  be 
cultivated,  becaufe  it  would  acquire  juft  Ideas  of  every 
Tiling,  in  an  agreeable  Manner.  The  View  of  Arts  and 
Profeffions,  and  of  Men  in  all  Situations  and  Employ- 
ments, affords  a  perpetual  Source  of  Experience,  entirely 
calculated  to  give  Inftrudlion,  without  Expence,  or  Fatigue, 
We  there  learn  not  only  whatever  is  capable  of  enriching: 
die  Mind,  and  embellifliing  Converfation,  but  likewite 
that  which  makes  a  Man  ufeful,  and  of  Confequence  upon 
all  Occafions.  Her  Ladyfhip's  Son,  who  is  certainly  one  of 
the  moil  refined  and  amiable  young  Gentlemen  one  can 
poffibly  fee,  has  been  educated  in  this  Tafle.  After  he  had 
been  compleatly  verfed,  by  different  Mailers,  in  all  the 
neceffary  Tongues  and  Exercifes,  the  Article  of  travelling 
began  to  be  thought  of;  but  the  Count  would  not  fufFcr 
Iftim  to  go  to  Germany,  where  he  now  refides,  till  he  had 
devoted  every  Morning,  for  a  whole  Year,  iji  the  Study 
of  Natural  Philofophy,  or  the  moH  amiable  Parts  of  Na- 
ture ;  and  befides  this,  his  Afternoons  were  ^generally  em- 
ployed in  obferving,  as  well  as  learnmg,  to  a  certain  De- 
gree, the  noblell  1  rades  and  Profeffions,  without  difdain- 
ing  even  the  moil  common.  He  never  paffed  a  Week 
vvichout  going  to  School  at  fome  Shop  in  ?ari^y  not  in  a 
fuperficial  Manner,  but  by  making  it  his  ferious  Endea- 
vour to  get  a  competent  Idea  of  the  real  Objedl,  and  moft 
valuable  Method  of  each  particular  Trude.     He  attended  n 

Gold- 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  55 

Gold-Wire  Drawer,  a  Printer,  a  Clock-malver,  and  a 
Dyer,  for  near  three  Weeks.  He  beflowed  as  much  Time 
on  a  Joyner,  a  Smith,  and  even  a  Carpenter ;  and  never 
left  his  Man,  till  he  had  (een  him  in  all  the  Forms  and 
Undertakings  of  his  ProfeiTion.  The  repeated  View  of 
the  fame  Works,  the  plain  Converfation  of  the  Artifans, 
the  Approbations,  or  Complaints  of  the  Mailers,  the  va- 
rious Difficulties,  Precautions,  and  Remarks  of  the  Buyers, 
n)ade  every  Art  and  Trade  fo  familiar  to  him,  that  at 
prefent  he  knows  each  Particular  that  relates  to  the  Com- 
merce of  Life,  as  well  as  even  thofe  by  whofe  Labours  it 
is  fupplied:  He  knows  the  Names  and  Ufe  of  all  the 
Tools,  is  acquainted  with  the  Materials  employed  by  the 
Vv^orkmen,  as  well  as  the  Countries  that  produce  them ; 
he  onderilands  the  Marks  of  their  good,  or  bad  Qaalicies, 
and  what  they  are  v/orth,  either  at  firft,  or  fecond  Hand. 
He  can  diilinguiili  the  Touches  of  an  Artill,  and  difcern 
the  DiiFerence  between  a  Work  of  Solidity  and  good  Taite, 
and  one  that  only  flrikes  the  Eye,  and  is  of  flight  Tex- 
ture. A  difhoneii  Workman  can  never  impofe  upon  him; 
but  then  he  like  wife  knows  how  to  do  Juilice  to  the  Per- 
formance of  an  able  Mailer  :  Nay,  he  goes  farther,  he  is 
an  Artiil  himfelf,  and  makes  whatever  he  has  Occafion 
for,  with  his  own  Hands. 

Count efs.  I  allow  you  to  enlarge  on  my  Son's  Com- 
mendations, becaufe  you  have  fo  great  a  Share  in  them 
yourfelf.  I  have  infinite  Obligations  to  you,  Sir,  and 
can't  imagine  what  peculiar  Dexterity  you  pra6tife ;  but 
when  you  ufed  to  difengage  yourfelf  a  fev/  Hours  fome- 
times,  from  your  common  Employment,  to  take  a  Walk 
with  my  Son  ;  you  gave  him  a  Taile  of  the  Manufactures 
and  Sciences,  in  a  Manner  that  charmed  him.  Your  Me- 
thod, as  it  appears  to  me,  was  not  fo  much  to  make  him 
underlland,  at  once,  a  Set  of  Sciences,  as  to  raife  in  him 
a  Defire  to  underlland  them  ;  your  Intention  was  to  make 
him  curious,  becaufe  Curioiity  is  an  adlive  Palfion,  that 
can  never  be  indolent ;  and  when  this  Point  is  once  ac- 
compliihed,  all  the  Red  come  without  Reludance  or  Dif-- 
tafte.  L  have  frequently  taken  Notice,  that  your  Difcourfes, 
and  Compliances,  nay  your  very  Diverfions,  only  tended 
to  iharpen  the  Youth's  Curiofity.  It  v/as  very  pleafant, 
for  Inllance,  to  fee  the   Curate  and   his  little  Parifhioner 

D  4  difputing 


56  D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E    IV. 

'aifputing,  fometimes  by  the  Water-fide,  which  Stdncs 
were  the  fiatteft  ;  and  then  to  obferve  each  of  them  raife 
his  Heap  ;  and,  with  a  Kind  of  Emulation,  Ikim  the  Stones 
along  the  Surface  of  the  Water;  and  when  they  were 
weary  of  their  Employment,  to  fit  down  and  make  Differ- 
Utions  on  the  Defcent  of  Bodies,  the  Level  of  the  Water, 
the  Lines  of  Incidence  and  Refleaion,  as  I  think  they 
called  them,  the  Preffure  of  the  Air,  and  feveral  other 
Matters  that  are  flipp'd  out  of  my  Memory.  When  this 
Dialogue  was  over,  they  went  to  work  with  their  Sticks, 
on  the  firfl  fmooth  Bed  of  Sand  they  faw,  there  they  traced 
oat  the  Ho/y  Land,  Italy,  or  France,  and  even  proceeded 
to  the  Indies,  zrA  Canada;  and  if  they  wanted  Sand,  they 
made  ufe  of  Stones,  Leaves,  and  Apples,  with  which 
they  f]<etch'd  out  Provinces,  Mountains,  or  Cities :  Every 
Day  produced  fome  new  Invention.  'Tis  impoffible  to  de- 
fcribe  the  Air,  and  Delight,  with  which  my  Son  repeated 
thefe  Performances  in  my  Prefence  ;  every  thing  was  fo  fa- 
miliar to  his  Imagination,  and  fo  well  methodized  in  his 
Mind,  that  whatever  he  learned  in  this  amufmg  Manner, 
was  repeated  to  me  in  a  very  exad  Order,  and  the  Prior^ 
without  knowing  it,  gave  Inflrudions  to  two  Perfons  in- 
ftead  of  one. 

Prior.  As  I  was  his  Pallor,  I  could  not  bellow  my 
Time  better,  than  in  devoting  fome  of  my  Care  to  his 
Improvement;  but  when  one  meets  with  a  fine  Genius, 
it  is  impoffible  to  be  too  fedulous  inpreferving  it  from  every 
difagreeable  Impreffion.  And  I  can  affure  your  Ladyfhip, 
I  have  employed  no  Part  of  my  Time  with  fo  much  Advan- 
tage, as  thofe  Hours  I  have  paffed  away  in  little  Amufe- 
ments  with  this  amiable  Youth. 

Countefs,  There  are  but  too  many,  whofe  Amufements 
are  no  more  than  Trifles,  and  indeed  few  are  capable  of 
giving  them  an  agreeable  Turn,  or  know  how  to  mix  De- 
fign  with  their  Divcrfions,  and  promote  Virtue  by  the  Me- 
diation of  Pleafure. 

Che^.  I  muft  give  you.  Madam,  another  Inftance  of 
the  Priori  Abilities.  When  he  had  explained  tome,  Yefler- 
day,  all  the  Parts  of  a  Loom,  and  Ihewn  me  how  they 
were  ufed  :  Well,  Mr,  James,  faid  he,  to  one  of  the  Work- 
men, nvillyou  let  ?ne  ha^e  your  Place  ?  It  is  my  ^urn  to 
Day,    Upon  which  he  immediately  put  the  Treadles  and 

the 


Tl<j£r  n'/ti/Z/ta^e/;'; 


*N 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  S7 

the  Shuttle  in  Motion,  promifing  to  pay  Ten-pence  for 
svery  Thread  he  fhould  happen  to  break.  After  which 
[le  afked  me.  If  I  would  handle  the  Loom  on  the  fame 
Terms  ?  Why  not,  replied  I  ?  Upon  which  the  Gentleman 
gave  me  his  Place,  and  I  began  to  work ;  but  "  '         « 

Countefs,  Didn't  you  fpoil  all  ? 

Che^,  It  went  on  very  indifferently  at  firft,  and  I  paid 
the  Fine  agreed  upon,  which  coft  me  fome  Money ;  but 
[  was  in  a  little  Time  as  dextrous  as  another.  Our  good 
People  were  highly  delighted  to  fee  their  Work  all  wrong, 
and  every  broken  Thread,  was  as  good  to  them  as  a  Vi- 
^ory. 

Prior.  Well ;  let  us  talk  no  more  of  the  Prior  and  the 
Weavers,  but  come  to  the  Web  of  another  make,  that  re- 
quires  neither  Loom,  nor  Shuttle  ;  her  Ladyihip  will  not 
be  offended  if  I  defcribe  the  Spider  and  her  Tools,  before 
I  fpeak  of  her  Work. 

Countef. .  Go  on.  Sir  ;  you  may  talk  of  Dragons  and 
Serpents,  who  are  as  little  difagreeable  to  me ;  for  the  De- 
fcription  of  the  mofl  frightful  Objedl  is  capable  of  creating 
Pleafure. 

Prior.  There  are  five  Sorts  of  Spiders*:  Firft,  the 
Houfe  Spider,  who  hangs  her  Web  in  negle(5ted  Apart- 
ments :  Secondly,  the  Garden  Spider,  who  weaves,  in 
the  open  Air,  a  little  round  Web,  the  Center  of  which  is 
her  Situation  in  the  Day-time:  Thirdly,  the  Black  Spider, 
to  be  met  with  in  Cellar? ,  and  the  Cavities  of  old  Walls : 
Fourthly,  the  Wandering  Spider,  who  has  no  fettled  Neft, 
like  the  others ;  Fifthly,  the  Field  Spider,  which  they  call 
the  Long-legs. 

All  thefe  Animals  have  fomething  in  common  with  each 
other,  and  likewife  fomething  that  diitingui(hes  them.  Ltt 
us,  in  the  firft  Place,  confider  what  they  all  agree  in. 

Every  Spider   has  two  Parts,  of  which 
the  Fore -one,  that  contains  the  Head  and      The  Fore-pa^t 
Breaft,  is  feparated  from  the  Hinder-part,  or     of  a  Spider. 
Belly,  by  a  Ligature,  or  very  ftender  Thread. 
The  Fore-part  is  covered  with  very  itrdng  Scales,  and  (o 
are  the  Feet,  which  are  inferted  in  the  Breaft.     The  hin- 

^  The  Memoirs  of   the   Academy    of  Sciences.    M.    Hom-berg. 
if«Wf/7i^c^A's  Arcaa..  Nat.  Tom*  iii    Epift.  135,  Lifter  dc  Aran, 

D  5  i^ 


58         D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E    IV. 

der  Part  is  cloathed  with  a  very  fine  and  fuppleSkln,  ancl 
the  whole  invefted  with  Hair.     In  difFerent  Parts  of  their 
Head,  they  have  feveral  fine   Eyes,    gene- 
TheEyes^        rally  eight,  and  fometimes  no   more  than 
fix,  two  in  the  Fore-part,  two  in  the  Hin- 
der   and  the  reft  in  the  Sides.    They  are  all  without  Eye- 
lid/  and  are  covered  with  an  hard,  poliihed,    and  tranf- 
mrent  Cruft.     As  thefe  Eyes  are  immoveable,  they   have 
been  multiplied  in  this  Manner,  to  give  theni  Intimations 
on  all  Srdes,  of  whatever  relates  to  them.    All  thefe  Crea- 
tures, in  the  Fore-part  of  the  Head,  have 
The  Stings^       two  Stings,  or  rather  Branches,  fhagged,  or 
indented  with  ftrong  Points,  like  a  couple 
of  Saws,    and  ending  in  a  Nail  made  like  the  Claw  of  a 
Cat      Near   the   Point  of  the  Nail  is  a   fmall  Aperture, 
through   which,  it  is  evident,   they  ejed  a  very  violent 
Poifoii      They  have  no  Arms  fo  formidable  to  their  Ene- 
mies as  thefe.     They  open  and  extend  their  two  Branches 
as  they  have  Occafion,  and  when  they  no  longer  make  ufe 
of  the  Nails,  they  bend,  and  bring  each  of  them  down  upoa 
ks  Branch,   like  a  Pruning  Knife,    clafped  upon  its  Han- 
dle. They  all  likewife  have  eight  Legs,  jomt- 
TheLegs.        ed  like  thofeof  Crabs;  and  at  the  Extre- 
mity    of  thefe  Legs,    three  crooked    and 
Th«  Claws,      moveable  Claws ;    that  is  to  fay,    a  fmall 
one  placed  on  one  Side,  like  a  Spur,    by 
'the   AMance  of  which,    they  faften  thcmfelves  to 'their 
Threpd;  and  two  others  of  a  larger  Size,  the  internal  Part 
efwhofe  Curve  is  indented,  and  which  ferve  them  to  fix, 
tb-mfelves  where   they  pleafe,    and  enable  theni  to  Aide 
either  obliouely,  or  with  their  Back  downwards    by  grafp- 
i„^  whatever  comes  in  their  Way.    Even  pohfhed  Bodies,, 
fuch  as  Marble,  and  Looking-GlalTes,    have  thofe  Inequa- 
ikies  0.1  their  Surface,    as  enable  thefe  Creatures  to  faften 
^Don  th-m,  by  the  Point  of  their  Claws ;  but  as  this  Pomt 
would  be  impaired,  were  they  always  to  reft  upon  it,  m. 
their  Progrefs  from  Place  to  Place,  they  are 
Their  Spon-     furnifned  with  two  little  round  Balls,  or  Spon- 
ges, ^es,  on  which  they  advance  with  a  fofter 
Face,  and  drav/  in  their  bending  Claws,  m 
erder  to  preferve  them  on  thefe  Occaiions  where  they  can. 
Jtffenfe  vvith  tlieir  Agency,     Befides,   thefe  e^g^^^^^g; 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  59 

Spiders  h^ve  two  others,  inferted  into  the  Fore-part  of 
their  Body,  and  which  we  may  call  their  Arms,  fmce  they 
do  not  ufe  them  for  transferring  themfelves  from  one  Place 
to  another,  but  only  for  holding,  and  turning  their  Prey. 
But  with  all  this  formidable  Equipage,  the  Spider  would 
be  unfuccefsful  in  her  Wars,  were  fhe  not  as  well  accom- 
modated with  Inflruments  to  form  an  Ambulh,  as  with 
Weapons  for  an  Attack.  She  has  no  Wings  to  affifl  her 
in  the  Purfuit  of  her  Prey  ;  whereas,  her  Prey  is  furnilhed 
^'ith  them  for  its  Efcape,  and  there  would  be  too  much 
Difproportion  in  their  Circumflances,  if  the 
spider  had  not  a  Stock  of  Thread,  as  well  Their  Thread, 
is  a  natural  Induftry  to  fpin  it  into  a  Web 
md  Snare,  which  fhe  fpreads  in  the  open  Air,  through 
fvhich  her  Prey  is  continually  palfmg.  Inllint^  informs 
ler  when  to  fet  about  her  Work,  and  fhe  begins  it  when 
;ier  Prey  firfl:  receives  its  Birth ;  and  then  retiring  into 
Dbfcurity  beliind  her  Net,  jhe  patiently  awaits  the  Enemy,. 
;o  whom,  Ihe  herfelf  is  invifible. 

I  Ihall  now  defcribe  the  Manner  In  which  {he  weaves 
md  compleats  a  Web  fo  advantageous  to  her  Purpofe.  AH 
spiders  at  the  Extremity  of  their  Belly,  have  five  Teats, 
)r  Papillse,  covered  with  other  of  lelTer  Dimenfions,  the 
Orifices  of  which  they  open  and  fhut,.  as  well  as  contrail 
md  dilate  at  Pleafure.  Thro'  thefe  Orifices  they  diltil  that 
:]ammy  Gum  with  which  their  Belly  is  repleniflied ;  and- 
vhilil  the  Spider  difcharges  it  thro'  one,  or  more  Aper- 
iiires,  the  Thread  lengthens  in  proportion  to  her  Diilance, 
from  the  Place  where  (he  firil  faftened  it.  When  fhe 
ilofes  the  Openings  of  her  Dugs,  the  Threads  no  longer 
lengthen,  and  llie  remains  lufpended  in  the  Air.  She  af- 
lerv/ards  makes  ufe  of  this  Thread  for  her  Afcent^  by 
?rafping  it  in  her  Paws,  as  feme  People  climb  up  a  Rope 
ivith  their  Hands  and  Knees.  With  this  Thread  fhe  fpins 
I  Web,  that  farniihes  her  with  Advantages  of  a  very  dif- 
ferent Nat-ure.     I  fiiall  now  defcribe  its  Texture  and  Ule, 

When  a  lioufe  Spider  intends  to  begin  a 
Web,  (lio  firH  chufes.  a  Place  that  has  fome         The   Wcb> 
Recefs,    as  the  Corner  of  a  Chamber,  or  a     of   an  Houfe 
Piece  of  Furniture,  into  which  flic  may  re-     Spider^ 
treat  under  her  Web,    and  fecure  herfelf  a 
Pailage  either  upwards  cr  downwards,  and  by  thefe  Means 

P  6  accomplilk 


6o         D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E    IV. 

accomplifli  her  Efcape  from  any  Danger  that  may  occur; 
ftieiheds  upon  the  Wall  a  little  Drop  of  her  Gum,  which 
immediately  flicks  to  it.     The  Spider  then  lets  the  Liquor 
diflil  through  a  fmaller  Orifice.     Her  Thread  lengthens  in 
her  Rear,  while  fhe  proceeds  from  one  Side,  as  far  as  the 
Place  to  which  fhe   defigns  to    extend   her  Web.      The 
Thread  is  fattened  to  one  of   her  Spurs,    lefl  it  fhould  fix 
along  the  Wall,  whilft  her  Intention  is,  that  it  fhould  only 
traverfe  the  Air.     When  fhe  is  arrived  at  the  Point    to 
which  fhe  purpofes  to  continue  her  Web,   from  the  oppo- 
lite  Side,  fhe  there  fallens  this  firil  Thread  by  the  help  of 
the  Glew ;    and  afterwards  drav/s  it  to  her,    firfl  bending,, 
and  then  (Iretching  it  tight.      Clofe  by  this  Thread  fhe 
fixes  another,  which  fhe  carries  forward,    by  running  along^ 
the  firfl  like  a  Vaulter  on  his  Rope,     She  proceeds  to  glew 
the  fecond  Thread,    on  one  Side  of  the  Point  where  fhe 
began  her  Work.     The  two  firfl  Threads  affifl  her,    like  a 
Scaffold,    to  build  all  the  refl.     In  this  Manner  fhe  pafTes. 
and  repaffes  feveral  Times,    connecting  or  feparating  her 
Threads  as,  fhe  judges  convenient.     I  even  fufped^  by  the 
Expedition  with  which  fhe  proceeds  in  her  Work,   that  fhe 
forms  feveral  Threads  at  once,  and  in  order  to  keep  them, 
feparated  at  an  equal  Dillance,    without  intermingling  witk 
e^ch  other,  fhe  diflributes  them  into  the  Teeth  of  the  Comb 
which  1  have  diflindly  feen  under  each  of  the  large  Nails. 
on  her  Paws.      She  afterwards  flretches   and  binds    thefe 
Threads,     one    after   another,    with  the   fame  Induflry. 
Thus  th^  firfl  Range  is   hung,    and  we  may  call  it  the 
Warp. 

Che^.  I  underfland  you.  Sir,  fhe  will  prefently  begin  ta 
fpin  her  Threads  tranfvexfly,  and  that  will  make  the; 
Woof. 

Prtpr.  Perfedlly  jufl ;  but  th^  Web  of  a  Spider  differs 
from  thofe  we  weave,  in  this  Circumflance,  that  in  our 
Work,  the  Threads  extended  in  Length  are  interlaced  v/itk 
thofe  that  arc  carried  on  tranfverfly;  whereas  the  Threads 
of  a  Spider's  Woof  only  crofs  the  Threads  of  die  Warp, 
and  are  glewed  to  them,  in  the  Points  where  they  mutually 
touch,  and  are  not  infertcd  or  interwoven.  After  this,  the 
Spider  doubles  and  trebles  the  ']"'hreads  that  bordered  her 
Work,  by  opening  all  her  Dugs  at  once,  and  glewing  fe- 
veral Threads  one  over  another.    She  is  fenfjble  that  the 

ExtremitjT' 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  s.  et 

Extremity  of  her  Web  ought  to  be  hemmed  and  forti- 
fied, to  preferve  it  from  being  torn  ?  She  likewife  further 
fecures  and  fupports  it  with  ftrong  Loops,  or  double 
Threads,  which  fhe  fixes  all  around  it,  and  which  hinder 
it  from  being  the  Sport  of  the  Winds. 

C/?ev,  This  is  a  Work  that  certainly  deferves  our  Admi- 
ration; but  I  fhall  ftill  have  a  real  Pleafure  to  fee  the 
Strudlure  of  the  Lodge  where  fhe  lyes  in  Ambufcade. 

Prior,    The  Spider  is  well  acquainted  with  herfelf,  and 
confcious  that  if  flie  made  her  Appearance 
fhe  would  intimidate  her  Prey ;   and  there-     Her   Ledge. 
fore,   at  the  Bottom  of  her  Web,    fhe  con- 
trives a  little  Lodge,    where  (he  keeps  Gentry  unfeen :  The 
two  Outlets,  one  above  and  the  other  below,   with  which 
it  i«  accommodated,    give  her  an  Opportunity  of  being 
every  where  when  necefTary,    and  of  vifiting  and  cleaning 
all  ?ms. 

From  Time  to  Time  Ihe  clears  away  the  Dufl,  that 
would  otherwife  be  too  incommodious  to  her  Web,  and 
fweeps  the  whole,  by  giving  it  a  fhake  with  her  Paw ;  but 
fhe  considers  what  ihe  is  about,  and  fo  nicely  proportions 
the  Force  of  her  Blow,  that  flie  never  breaks  any  Thing. 

From  all  Parts  of  the  W^eb  are  drawn  feverai  Threads, 
that  terminate  like  Rays  in  the  Centre,  Vv^here  fhe  retires 
and  keeps  her  Watch.  The  Sound,  made  by  the  Vibra- 
tion of  one  of  thefe  Threads,  is  communicated  to  her,  and 
gives  her  Notice  there  is  Game  in  her  Nets,  and  according- 
ly ihe  fprings  upon  it  in  an  Inftant.  She  derives  another 
Advantage  from  this  Retreat  under  her  Web,  and  that  is, 
the  Opportunity  it  affords  her  of  feafting  on  her  Prey  in 
full  Security,  beiides  concealing  the  Carcailes,  and  not  leav- 
ing in  the  Purlieus,  any  Traces  of  her  Barbarity  capable 
of  intimating  the  Place  of  her  Refbrt,  and  infpiring  Infers 
with  an  Averfion  to  approach  it. 

C/je'v.  I  would  willingly  know.  Sir,  how  Spiders  are 
always  fupplied  with  Materials  for  Spinning ;  for  People 
torment  them  exceedingly,  and  yet  we  find  their  Work 
repaired  the  next  Day. 

Prior.  That  Providence  which  knows  the  Spider  is 
hated,  that  her  Labours  create  her  many  Enen^ies,  and 
that  her  Web  is  always  in  danger  of  being  difconcerted,  has 
furnilhed  her  with  a  Magazine  for  frequent  Ri^pair^,    and 

this 


62         DIALOGUE    IV. 

this  Magazine,  after  it  has  been  exhaufted,  is  Ilill  repleniffi- 
ed  with  frefti  Recruits ;  however,  this  Refervoir  is  drained 
in  Time,  for  when  they  grow  old,  both  the  Gum  and 
Sponges  in  their  Feet  are  dried  up. 

C/je^.  How  do  they  live  then  in  that  Condition  ? 

Prior,  They  ufe  Induflry  ;  An  old  Spider,  who  has  no 
longer  any  thing  to  fubfill  on,  feeks  out  a  young  one,  and 
acquaints  it  with  her  Neceffities  and  Intention ;  at  which 
the  other,  out  of  Refpeft  to  old  Age,  or  Apprehenfion  of 
the  Pincers,  refigns  its  Place  to  her,  and  fpins  itfelf  a  new 
Web  in  another  Situation.  But  if  the  old  Spider  can  find 
none  of  its  Species  that  will,  either  by  Confent  or  Com- 
pulfion,  refign  its  Nets  to  her,  Ihe  mufl  then  perifh  for 
want  of  SubliHance. 

Coiintefs.  The  Frior  has  not  yet  entirely  reconciled  me 
to  this  Animal ;  but  he  has  however  cured  me  for  fome 
Time,  of  the  Averfion  I  had  to  hear  it  fo  much  as  men- 
tioned. Nay,  I  have  proceeded  farther :  for  I  have  ob- 
ferved,  as  well  as  I  v/as  able,  the  Work  of 
a  Garden  Spider,  and  I  £nd  it  very  difFe-  Garden  Spi- 
rent. As  her  Labour  has  appeared  to  me  ^^"^^^ 
to  be  very  peculiar,  I  have  a  mind  to  give 
the  Che-valier  fome  Account  of  it.  There  are  many  Peo- 
ple who  believe  (he  flies,  when  they  fee  her  pafs  from. 
Branch  to  Branchy  and  even  from  one  Tree  to  another ;. 
but  ^ht  tranfports  herfelf  in  this  Manner :  She  places  her- 
{q}S  upon  the  End  of  a  Branch,  or  fome  other  projeding 
Body,  and  there  fallens  her  Thread;  after  which,  with. 
her  two  hind  Feet,  fhe  fqueezes  her  Dags,  and  prcHes  out 
one  or  more  Threads  of  two.  or  three  Ells  in  Length,  which. 
{i\e  leaves  floating  in  the  Air.  Thefe  Threads  are  wafted 
by  the  Wind  from  one  Side  to  another,  and  lodged  ei- 
ther on  a  Houfe  or  a  Pole ;  fometimes  on  a  Tree  or  a  Stake,,, 
crofs  a  Brook,  and  are  there  faftened  by  their  natural  Glew : 
She  afterwards  draws  them  to  her,  to  try  if  they  are  well 
fixed  or  not,  and  then  they  become  a  Bridge,  over  which. 
the  Spider  paiTes  and  repaffes  in  full  Liberty.  She  doubles 
and  extends  the  Thread  as  much  as  (lie  thinks  fit,  by  join- 
ing the  fnorteil  Slips  together,  and  then  marches  over  a 
third  Part,  or  to  the  Middle  of  tlie  fame  Thread,  and  adds 
another  to  it,  by  the  Aid  of  which  fhe  defcends  till  Ihe 
meets  with,  a  Sione,    a  Plants   or  fome  folid  Body  to  rell 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S  63V 

n,    or  elfe  fhe  leaves  it  to  flu6luate  in  the  Air,  'till  it  be 
xed  to  fome  particular  Place.     By  this  fecond  Thread  (he 
fcends  to  the  flrft,    and  at  fome  Diftance  begins  a  third, 
vhlch  ihe  fallens  by  the  fame  Management.      When  fne 
Las  fixed  three  Threads,  fhe  makes  them  itronger  by  doub- 
:ng  them ;  after  which  fhe  endeavours  to  projed  a  kind  of 
quare  within  them,  which  is  eafy  for  her  to  accompliih, 
^caufe  fhe  afcends  by  the  Thread  which  joins  on  the  right 
land  to  that  which  is  extended  above,   and  then  fhe  pafTes 
D  the  other  which  defcends  on  the  Left.      During  all  this 
Vogrels,  flie  continually  fpins,  and  then  fhortens  and  bends 
he  Thread  v/hich  fails  on  the  right  Hand,    and  joins  it  to- 
bat  oh  the  Left,  in  what  Part  fhe  bell  approves,    and  by 
befe  means  forms  a  Square,  or  fome  Figure  that  refembles 
t.     In  this  Square  fhe  makes  a  Crofs,    with  the  fame  In- 
uiiry,  whofe  middle  Point  becomes  a  Centre,  to  which  fhe 
raws  Threads   from   every  Side,    like  the  Spokes  of    a 
Vheel,    which  all  terminate  in  the  Nave.     This  is  the 
Varp  or  Bafis  of  the  Work.      She   then  fpins   a    finer 
rhread  for  the  Woof,  and  firil  places  herfelf  in  the  Centre,, 
inhere  all  the  Threads  of  the  Warp  meet  and  crofs  one  ano- 
her.     Round  this  Centre  fhe  projedls  a  fmall  Circle ;  after 
vhich  fhe  begins  another  a  little  more  difiant,  and  ahvays 
iont-nues  to  draw  this  circular  Thread  from  one  Spoke  to  a- 
lother,    'till  fhe  comes  to  the  large  Threads  which  fuitain 
he  whole  Work.     When  the  Net  is  thus  fpread,    her  next 
;^are  is  to  entrap  the  Game  ;    for  which  Purpofe  fne  places, 
lerfelfin  the  Centre- of   all  thefe  Circles,    with  her  Head 
lownwards ;  becaufe  her  Belly,  which  joins  to  a  very  fien- 
ier  Neck,  would  fatigue  her  too  much  in  any  other  Pofi- 
ion;  v>/hereas  in  this  PoUure,    it  is  fupported  by  her  Feet 
md  Bread.     Jn  this  Situation  fVie  awaits  her  Prey,  of  whiclv 
ih-e  is  net  long  defcitute,   for  the  Air  is  fo  replenifhed  witli 
Piie?,    who   are  perpetually   in  Motion,    that  a  fufiicient 
Quantity  of  them  foon  fail  into  her  Toils.     When  a  fmall 
Fly  becomes  her  Captive,  flie  difpatches  it  upon  the  Spot,, 
becaufe  it  is  a  Repail,  which  does  not  require  much  Prepa- 
ration ;   but  when  her  Provificn  is  larger,  and  happens  to 
3e  a  flrong  Fly  who  makes  a  vigorous  Refiflance,  the  Spi- 
der, Vvheeiing  round,  involves  him  in  a  Number  of  Threads, 
with  which  fne  entangles,  fetters,  and  then  keeps  him  fuf- 
pcnded  in  the  Air;   after  v/hich  hic  bears  him  away  to  tha 

Neii. 


^4 


DIALOGUE    IV. 


Nefl  below  her  Web,  and  which  Ihe  conceals  in  the  Leaves> 
or  under  a  Tile,  or  foine  other  Shelter,  commodious  either  ; 
to  pafs  the  Night  in,  or  fcreen  herfelf  from  the  Rain. 

Che^.  But  this  Work  mull  be  very  brittle,  Madam,  and 
liable  to  be  carried  away  by  the  leafl  Wind. 

Countefs.   The  Wind  is  not  fo  injurious  to  it  as  you  ima-  ; 
gine,  for  the  Web  is  very  penetrable,  and  the  Wind  paiTes  : 
through  and  feldom  diforders  it;  what  infefls  them  moft  is-' 
the  Rain;    but  as   the  TifTue  of  their  Web  is   very  thin: 
and  tranfparent,  the  Expence  is  inconfiderable,  and  they 
have  always  Materials  for  a  new  Net  when  they  want  it. . 
This,  Sir,  is  what  I  know  of  Garden  Spiders ;  and  I  may? 
add,    that  I   lately  made  thefe  Difcoveries  after  1  parted 
from  you :    I   purfued  the  Infed  through  all  her  Progrefs, 
on  Purpofe  to  render  you  a  Piece  of  Service.     As  to  the 
Spiders  that  harbour  in  Vaults,    you  will  excufe  me  if  I 
can  give  you  no  Account  of  them. 

Prior.   This  Animal  contents  herfelf  with 

The    Black     diftributed  her  Threads  about  the  adjacent 
Spider.  Parts  of  her  fmall  Cavern,  and  forms  a  little 

round  Avenue  in  the  Centre,  to  accommo- 
date herfelf  with  a  free  Paffage.  When  an  Infed  flies  abgut 
thefe  Territories,  it  never  fails  to  move  one  of  thofe  Threads 
which  are  projected  all  around,  like  fo  many  Rays.  The 
Spider,  at  this  Intimation,  immediately  quits  her  Ambuf- 
cade.  She  is  more  malignant  than  any  other  Species  of 
thefe  Creatures  i  if  you  feize  her,  by  the  AfTiftance  of  two 
little  Sticks,  or  in  any  other  Manner,  llie  bites  the  Inftru- 
ments  that  hold  her.  She  is  alfo  much  better  fortified  than 
other  Spiders ;  and  the  Wafp,  for  Inftance,  who,  by  his 
Sting- -and  repulfive  Armour,  fo  embarraifes  the  reil,  never 
intimidates  her :  The  Black  Spider  is  not  to  be  penetrated 
by  this  Sting;  on  the  contrary,  ihe  cruihes  the  Bones  and 
Scales  of  the  Wafp  with  her  Pincers. 

1  ihall  bellow  but  a  very  few  Words  en  the  wandering 
Spider^  and  the  Long- Legs  or  Field  Spider. 

The  Wanderers  are  of  fcveral  forts,  and. 

The    Wan-     various  Colours.     They  generally  run  and 

dering  Spider.       leap ;    and  as  they  are    not    Hocked  with 

Thread  enough,    either  to   entangle    their 

Prey  when  they  want  it,    or  to  fetter  the  Wings  of  the 

Flies  who  incommode  them.  Nature  has  fixed  in  both  their 

fore 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  65 

re  Paws,  which  we  fhall  call  their  Arms,  two  Tufts  of 
gathers,  with  which  they  flop  the  Fluttering  and  Agita- 
Dn  of  their  Adverfaries  Win  gs .  There  is  another  Species, 
)t  fo  large  as  this,  of  a  blacker  Complexion,  and  more 
ngular  than  the  reft;  and  who,  in  the  Months  of  Septem- 
r  and  O^oier,  extend  their  Threads  along  the  Grafs  m 
leadows,  or  over  the  Stubble  which  remains  after  the 
[arveft.  She  likewife  abandons  feveral  of  thefe  Threads 
.  the  Wind,  which  bears  them  away.  They  frequently 
1  the  very  Air,  and  unite,  lengthen,  and  fix  on  every 
[ace.  The  Spiders  who  meet  with  this  Thread  faften 
lemfelves  to  it,  and  dart,  as  if  they  had  Wings,  to  the 
ops  of  Towers  and  the  loftieft  Buildings. 

Countefs.  You  prefent  us  with  a  true  Piaure  of  great 
rofperity,  for  the  Attainment  of  which  a  Thread  muit 
rft  be  found,  that  may  guide  to  fuch  a  Situation.  When 
lis  is  acquired,  the  Poffeffor  is  exalted,  but  then  he  hangs 
y  a  fmgle  Thread.  Be  pleafed  now  to  come  to  the  Field 
pider. 

Prior,  Nothing  is  more  remarkable  in 
lis  Creature  than  the  extreme  Length  and         The    Fieia 
>elicacy  of  its  Legs.     As  fhe  is  deftined  to     Spider, 
^e  amongft  the  fmalleft  Herbage  of  the 
ield,  without  fpinning,  the  minuteft  Leaf  would  flop  her, 
ere  (he  unprovided  with  thefe  extended  Legs,   that  raife 
er  above  the  common  Verdure,  and  enable  her  to  purfue 
er  Prey  with  due  Expedition. 

But  it  is  not  fufficient  to  have  given  you  a 
)efcription    of  the  feveral   kinds  of   Spi-         The    Egg* 
ers,   or  at  leaft  thofe  who  are  moft  com-     ef  Spiders, 
ion;    it  will  be  an  additional  Satisfadlion 
)  you,    to  know  how  they  range  their  Eggs,  and  preferve 
leir  Species  *.     Several   People  never  eat  Fruit,  becaufe 
ley  believe  Spiders  and   other  Infers  fcatter  their  Eggs 
pon  it  at  Random ;  but  there  is  not  the  leaft  Caufe  for  this 
ipprehenfion.      They  beftow  more  Preparation  and  Care 
n  thefe  Eggs  than  is  generally  imagined,   and  are  fo  far 
rom  abandoning  them  to  Chance,  that  they  fpin,  for  their 
Leception,   a  Web  fi\Q  times  ftronger  than  that  wherein 
ley  catch  Flies.     *Tis  a  Web  they  work  upon  with  Plea- 

*  Memoirs  de  TAcad,  des  Sc.  M.  de  Reaumur.  1710. 

^  furc 


66  DIALOGUE    IV. 

fure,  and  to  which  they  appropriate  all  the  beft  Materials 
the  ProfeiHon  can  furnifh.  With  this  Web  they  make  a 
Bag,  wherein  they  depofite  their  Eggs,  and  it  is  incredible 
to  think  what  Care  and  Labour  they  employ  for  the  Prefer- 
vation  of  that  Bag.  '  • 

Cbe'u.  Such  a  Bag  as  this  makes  me  laugh  heartily  i  but 
can't  you  oblige  me  with  the  Sight  of  it  ? 

Prior.  Tis  good  not  to  be  too  credulous,  and  therefore 
if  her  Ladyfnip  pleafes,  we  will  walk  a  few  Moments  by- 
the  Box  Trees  that  border  this  Terrafs :  I  have  beforehand 
been  fearching  upon  your  Account,  and  have  found  what 
you  defire  to  fee.  Obferve  in  that  Box  Tree,  one  of  thofe 
Spiders  who  never  fpin  a  regular  Web,  like  others.  Un- 
der her  ihe  carries  a  large  white  Ball,  which  you  would 
judge  to  be  Part  of  her  Body.  ' 

Che<v,  And  is  it  not  her  Belly  ? 

Prior.  Nothing  lefs.  Take  a  Twig  and  fhake  the  Spi- 
der a  little,  to  make  her  drop  the  Bail. 

Chev.  'Tis  fallen  down  and  fheruns  after  it. 

Prior.  This  is  the  Bag  of  Eggs  you  was  fo  delirous  to 
fee  :^  Don't  think  the  Dam  will  forfake  it :  Pray  obferve  her 
Behaviour. 

Cbcv.  I  fee  her  roll  herielf  over  the  Ball. 
■  Prior.  She  does  more,    for  fhe  forces  cut  of  her  Dugs  a 
clammy  Liquor  with  which  fhe  faflens  herfelf  anew  to  it. 

Che^v.  Tis  very  true;  and  fee  how  fhe  carries  it  away. 

Prior,  She  will  not  Hop  here :  Her  T  endernefs  for  hei* 
Young  will  difcover  itfelf  by  many  Sollicitadcs.  Judge  of 
them  by  this  other  Spider,  who  is  of  the  fame  Species, 
and  whofe  Young  are  hatched. 

Che^.  Where  are  they  ?   I  only  fee  the  Dam. 

Prior.  Obferve  what  flie  has  on  her  Back. 

Cbev.  All  that  I  can  difcover  is  fomething  prominent. 

Prior.  Move  gently  fome  of  the  Threads  you  fee  fcat- 
tered  here  and  there  in  that  Opening,  and  obferve  what  will 
come  out  at  the  Top  of  the  Creature. 

Chev.  Blefs  me  what  a  pleafant  Sight  is  here !  To  my 
thinking  I  fee  above  a  thoufand  little  Spiders  fkipping 
down  from  their  Mother,  and  running  along  the  Threads : 
Does  fhe  carry  her  whole  Family  on  her  Back  ?  What 
will  become  of  them  now  ? 

Prior. 


Of  INSECT  S.  Bf 

Prior.  Stand   Hill  a  little :    When  the    Danger  is  once 
ver,  you'll  fee  all  the  Family  come  together  again. 

C/j'enj.    And  there  they  are  indeed,    all  alTembled  in  a 
ttle  duller  on  their  Mother's  Shoulders. 

Pnor.  Here  is  a  Spider  of  another  Species,  who  lays  up 
er  Eggs  in  a  little  Purfe  like  a  leathern  Cap,  which  ihe 
)metimes  fixes  on  a  Wall,  and  fometimes  on  a  Leaf,  as  fhe 
as  done  here :  She  never  lofes  Sight  of  this  precious  De- 
ofite  ;  but  continues  whole  Days  and  Nights  near  it :  She 
atches  and  warms  her  Eggs,  by  conftantly  brooding  over 
lem.  Pluck  ofF  the  Leaf,  and  fee  what  will  become  of 
le  Dam.  •    ' 

C/je-v,  She  fuffers  herfelf  to  be  carried  away  with  the 
,eaf ;  I  am  not  very  fond  of  fuch  a  Neighbour. 

Prior,  You  may  kill  her  fooner  than  force  her  to  aban- 
on  her  Brood ;  She  never  quits  her  Hold  till  the  little 
piders  are  hatched.  But  tell  me.  Sir,  what  fee  you  in 
riat  other  Opening  ? 

Chev,  I  perceive  two  little  Bags,  or  Packets  of  a  red- 
ifh  Colour;  fufpended  by  a  couple  of  Threads ;  an^^e- 
bre  thefe  Bags,  I  fee  a  Pendant  of  dry  Leaves.  F^. 
vhatUfe  are  thefe  Things  intended  ?  Is  not  this  Work  acci- 
lentally  formed  by  the  Wind  ? 

Prior,  'Tis  a  Spider  of  another  Kind,  who  has  there 
lung  up  thofe  two  Bags,  wherein  fhe  has  treafured  her 
iggs. 

Cbe^.  But  what  may  be  the  Ufe  of  this  Bunck  of  dry 
Leaves,  that  fwings  about  in  thfe  Entrance  ? 

Prior,  Tis  to  deceive  PafTengers,  and  efpeclally  Wafps- 
md  Birds,  who  are  upon  the  Watch  for  the  Bag  of  Eggs, 
rhefe  little  Whifps  of  dry  and  reddiih  Leaves  is  no  proper 
Vlorfel  for  the  Birds ;  and  then  by  its  perpetual  Agitation, 
t  hinders  them  from  difcovering  the  Packets  that  ..are  hid 
>ehind. 
Che^v.  Profperity  to  the  Induilrious ! 
Prior.  We  will  not  look  for  any  common  Spider,  to 
give  you  an  Infight  into  her  particular  Qijalities;  it  is 
fufficient  to  acquaint  you,  after  what  you  have  feen,  that 
in  general  all  Spiders  wrap  their  Eggs  in  a  Web  whofe 
Strength  is  ailonilhing.  They  commonly  fallen  the  Packet 
to  a  Wall.  When  any  Danger  appears,  their  firft  Care  is 
£0  pull  down  this  Packet,    and  v/ith  it  to  fave  themfelves 


wher^ 


68  D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E    IV. 

where  they  can.  Thus,  my  dear  Chevalier ^  you  have 
my  Obfervations  on  thefe  Creatures,  without  entering  into 
a  particular  Enumeration  of  all  the  Species,  whqfe  Names, 
Figure,  and  Policies,  with  their  manner  of  weaving,  and 
cnfnaring  their  Prey,  are  diverfified  without  End. 

Countefs,   We  mull  have  a  Word  or  two  on  the  Taran-i 
tula,  for  the  Species  is  too  extraordinary  to  be  pafs'd  over 
in  Silence:  This  Animal  very  much  refembles  Houfe Spi- 
ders, but  the  Bite  of  it,  efpecially  in  hot  Countries,    pro- 
duces very  fatal  and  aflonilhing  EfFedls.     The  Poifon  is. 
not  immediately  perceptible,  becaufe  its  Quantity  is  too  in-' 
confiderable  * ;    but  then  it  ferments  and  occafions  very 
frightful  Diforders  five  or  fix  Months  afterwards.     The  Per- 
fon  who  has  been  bitten  does  nothing  but  laugh  and  dance, 
is  all  Agitation,  and  affumes  a  Gaiety  full  of  Extravagance, 
or  elfe  is  feized  with  a  black  and   difmal  Melancholy. 
At  the  Return  of  that  Period  of  the  Summer  Seafon  when 
the  Bite  was  given,  the  Madnefs  is  renewed,   and  the  di- 
(lempered  Party  conftantly  talks  over  the  fame  Inconfillen- 
cies,  fancies  himfelf  a  King,  or  a  Shepherd,   or  whatever, 
you  pleafe,  and  has  no  regular  Train  of  Reafoning.     Thefe 
unhappy  Symptoms  are  fometimes  repeated  many  Years 
fuccelTively,   and  at  laft  end  in  Death.     Thofe  who  have 
been  in  Itaiy.\  about  Naples,    tell  us,  this  odd  Malady  is 
cured  by  a  Remedy  ftill  odder;    for  according  to  them, 
nothing    but  Mufick,     and  efpecially  an    agreeable  and 
fprightly  Inftrument,    as  a  Violin,   for  Inllance,    can  give 
Relief;   for  which  Reafon  they  are  never  without  fuch  in 
this  Country.      The  Mufician  endeavours  to  find  out    a 
Tone  that  may  feem  to  bear  fome  Proportion  to  the  Tem- 
perament and  Difpofition  of  the  Patient :    He  repeats  his 
Attempt,    and  if  he  touclies  a  Note  which  makes  an  Im- 
preflion  on  the  diflempered  Perfon,  the  Cure  is  infallible; 
The  Patient  immediately  begins  to  dance,  and  always  rifes 
and  falls  according  to  the  Modulation  of  the  Air.     In  this 
Manner  he  continues   till  he  has  heated  himfelf  into   a 
Sweat,     which  drains  off  the  Venom  that  torments  him, 
and  at  laft  gives  him   effedlual   Relief.      I  had    this  Ac- 
count from  a  Friend  of  ours,  who  has  been  Conful  for 

^  Memoirs de  l*Academ.  des  Scicnc.  J708. 
t  Myjifiz  Voyage  into  Italy^ 

the 


QflNSECTS.  69 

he  French  Nation  at  Naples,  where  he  affured  aie,  he  had 
jen  Inftances  of  People  who  were  bitten  and  cured  in  this 
banner. 

Cbei;,  I  find  Learning  fliines  through  all  this  Family, 
nd  every  Thing  I  hear  in  this  Place  is  agreeable,  and  ex- 
•aordinary. 

Countefs,  You  will  certainly  be  furprized,  and  tell  me  I 
m  very  learned,  when  I  difcourfe  with  you  about  my  lit- 
e  Chickens,  and  all  the  Wonders  of  my  Poultry,  for  that 

ubjeft  will  come  in  its  Turn But  I  fee  the  Count 

lighting  from  his  Horfe,  and  he  has  brought  home 
abundance  of  Company.  Let  us  go  and  receive 
im. 

(ihiv*  I  fly  to  embrace  him. 


fbc  End  of  the  fourth  D  i  A  l  0  c  u  r, 


WASPS. 


70  D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E    V. 


W     A     S     P     S 


I'he  Prior,  and 
"The  Chevalier. 


ff/V.Pf  IR,  the  Company  who  came  here  YeRefday, 
i3  have  fome  Affairs  to  difpatch  before  they  go, 
and  neither  the  Count  nor  his  Lady  will  be  able  to'  wait 
upon  you  To-day.  As  for  my  Part,  I  ihall  make  you 
but  indifferent  amends  for  this  Lofs ;  but  I  have  a  Piece 
of  News  to  tell  you,  which  perhaps  may  amufe  you. 
Che^,  What  may  that  be,  Sir  ? 

Prior.  Something  has  been  juft  now  difcovered  under 
Ground,  which  deferves  your  Curiofity,  the  moil  of  any 
thing  in  the  World.  -'■'• — «**-Mr*#««.«*-. — .-m*«-. 

Che^v.  Is  it  to  be  feen  ? 

Trior.  It  is,  and  this  very  Day  too. The  Affair, 

in  fhort,  is  this.  The  Count  ^^iwti^  me  to  entertain  you, 
this  Afternoon,  with  the  Changes  that  happen  to  Flies  of 
every  Species.  I  employed,  myfelf,  Yeiterday,  in  pre- 
paring a  full  Account  for  you,  of  all  that  can  be  faid  on 
this  Subjecl,  and  was  digefting  my  Pvemarks  in  a  little 
Order,  when  a  Perfon  came  to  acquaint  me,  that  fome 
Hufbandmsn,  who  were  at  v»^ork  in  our  Neighbourhood, 
had  found  a  Curiofity  which  had  filled  Numbers  who 
came  to  fee  it,  with  Admiration.  Upon  this  I  immediate- 
ly Ifi^ft  your  Metamorphofes,  and  went,  like  other  People, 

to 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  71 

o  take  a  View  of  It,  and  really  th€  Thing  defcrved  it ;  for 
hey  had  found  an  entire  City  buried  in  the  Earth,  and 
uch  a  City  as  was  capable  of  lodging  between  eleven  and 
welve  Thoufand  Inhabitants.  The  Stru6lure  of  this  City 
vas  perfedly  ingenious,  tho'  very  different  from  ours: 
rhe  Wall  is  not  a  fimple  Inclofure  furrounding  the  Place, 
)ut  a  great  Dome  that  entirely  covers  and  encompafles  it 
)n  every  Part.  After  they  had  carefully  furveyed  it, 
hey  could  only  difcover  two  Gates ;  and  as  the  Darknefs 
ms  very  great  under  this  Dome,  they  had  demolifhcd 
^art  of  it  to  have  a  clear  Profped  into  the  different  Quar- 
5rs  of  the  City.  But  here  another  Scene  of  AHonifhment 
pen'd :  The  Streets  are  not  ranged  like  ours,  in  Side 
.ihes,  but  piled  over  each  other  in  different  Stories,  v/hich 
re  feparated  by  feveral  Ranks  of  Columns  ^  fo  that  they 
re  rather  Porticos  than  Streets ;  the  UppermoU  of  v/hich 
ifes  on  the  Second,  the  Second  on  the  Third,  and  fo  in 
uccefTion,  reckoning  downwards.  The  Houfes  are  of 
qual  Dimenfions,  and  thick  fet  againll  one  another  in  the 
ubilance  of  the  Vault.  All  the  Buildings  compofe  one 
nd  the  fame  Order,  and  are  likewife  on  a  Level  in  each 
tory,  and  covered  with  a  flat  Terrafs,  or  common  Roof, 
lade  with  a  very  binding  Gum,  and  as  fmooth  as  a 
/larble  Pavement:  Here  the  Inhabitants  walk  between 
he  Pillars,  that  fupport  another  Vault  with  its  Range  of 
loufes.  There  are  eleven  of  thefe  Porticos,  or  Vault's,  all 
f  the  fame  Strudure,  and  raifed  with  the  nicell  Symme- 
ry,  and  Corrednefs  of  Defign  :  'Tis  the  Obfcurity  alone 
hat  disfigures  the  V/ork  ;  I  did  not  fo  much  as  fee  the 
lemains  of  any  Lanthorn,  or  other  Contrivance  to  illu- 
minate the  City. 

Cbe^.  A  very  flrange  Place  to  live  In,  furely  ! 

Prior.  You  believe,  Sir,  that  I  am  defcribing  to  you 
Dme  City  built  before  the  Flood,  and  which  afterwards 
ank,  and  remained  buried  under  Ground. 

Che^.   I  don't;  know  what  to  think. 

Prior.  Indeed,  'tis  a  very  furprifmg  Affair;  for  this 
^ity  was  built  only  by  a  fwarm  of  Wafps. 

Cbg^.  How  !  Is  it  no  more  than  that  ? 

Prior.  No  more  than  that  ?  —  Had  this  City  been  even 
'UiltbyMen,  there  would  have  been  no  Occafion  to  ex- 
bim  againil-  it;    but  it  is  altogetlier  aHoiuiaing,  that  a 

5  .  great 


72        D  1  A  L  O  G  U  E  V. 

great  Dome^    with  Porticos  and  Columns ;   in  a  Word, 
that  an  entire  City  fhould  be  founded  by  Wafps. 
Che^,  Let  us  fee  this  Nell  of  Wafps  then :    We  fhall  be 

diverted  with  it.  ,  ,  .        .     j  ..         u 

Prior,  It  is  in  that  Arbour,  and  I  imagined  it  would 
be  more  entertaining  to  you  than  a  ferious  Differtation  on 
Infeds.  I  have  preferved  it  almoft  entire,  for  there  is  only 
a  little  Hole  made  in  one  of  the  Sides,  to  afford  a  Prof- 
pea  of  what  is  within.  Step  in  and  look  at  it :  \  ou  will 
find  the  whole  City  placed  on  a  Bench. 

Che'v.  Oh!  Sir,  what  a  delightful  Work  is  here  11  fee 
every  thing  as  you  have  reprefented.  Here  are  the  Pillars, 
the  Stories,  Houfes,  and  Cupola.  But  how  could  you 
get  this  Neft,  and  where  was  it  found. 

Prior.  I  perceived  the  Number  of  my  Bees,  and  my 
Quantity  of  Honey  fenfibly  diminished,  and  fufpeaed  that 
fome  Wafps  Neft  in  the  Neighbourhood,  was  the  Source 
of  this  Mifchief ;  and  accordingly  I  ordered  it  to  be  de- 
llroyed,  if  it  could  be  found.  It  was  difcovered  at  laft, 
and  Yefterday  in  the  Evening  they  ftormed  it  with  hire 
arid  Sulphur.  When  they  had  begun  to  open  the  Ground 
at  the  Wafps  Hole,  in  order  to  force  them  out,  and  burn 
them  in  their  Paffage,  I  was  told  they  had  found  a  large 
Pannier,  made  almoft  like  a  Gourd.  I  knew  what  it  was, 
and  immediately  determined  to  preferve  it,  that  you  might 
have  a  Sight  of  it.  This  is  the  City  then,  that  I  have 
been  defcribing.  But  no  more  of  the  Terms,  City,  Co- 
lonnades and  Architeaure :  Let  us  talk  of  Things  fimply 
as  they  are;  there  is  ftill  enough  of  the  Marvellous  to 
charm  you;  I  fpeak  of  the  Marvellous  unmixed  with  Fal^ 
hood ;  that  Marvellous  which  good  Senfe  demands,  and 
is  individually  the  very  Thing  you  love. 

Cbecv.  What  is  the  Original  of  Wafps,  and  how  do 
they  raife  their  Building  ?  . 

Prior,  The  Wafps  who  inhabited  this  Pannier  are  ot 
three  Sorts  *:  Firft,  the  Females  who  are  large,  and  ori- 
ginally very  inconfiderable  in  Number  :  Secondly,  the 
Males  who  are  almoft  as  big,  but  more  numerous :  1  hirdly, 
the  Mules  (if  1  may  fo  exprefs  myfelf)  that  is  to  fay, 
Wafps  who  are  configned  to  the  moft  laborious  Employ- 

•  Memoirs  de  1* Acad,  des  Scienc.  M.  de  Reaumur.    1 7i9« 

ments 


J'la^M  lef^J^ /^a4fe7'^ 


1 


nSPa^t  of  a  ta/x  or  on/'  S^mtO€  of 
{/y??U7ij'ions. 


M^  (Jut7rn/'l'/^^'  cy^//^^  /a7y<:  /Z^cz/Zu-   /Wt 


J^la/^M  A^y.^/v?<^^;^ 


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th. 
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]}  rwn- 


/7^//  /y 


"^a/Z^ij. 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  73 

nents,  and  are  neither  Males,  nor  Females :  Thefe  are 
nuch  fmaller,  but  vaitly  numerous,  and  are  the  Com- 
nonalty  of  the  Nation.  There  are  alfo  th^'ee  Sort^  of  La- 
)ours  wherein  the  Wafps  are  employed:  Fmt,  the  build- 
ng  of  the  Neft  ;  lecondly,  the  providing  of  Food ;  and, 
hirdly,  the  laying  of  Eggs,  and  Nourilhnient  of  their 
foung. 

As  to  the  Structure  of  the  Hive,  they  firft 
hufe  about  Midfum7ner ,.  a  fubterranean  The  Hive. 
kvity  begun  by  Field  Mice,  or  Moles,  or 
Ife  they  dig  one  themfelves,  and  ufually  on  a  rifmg 
jround,  that  the  Water  may  flow  down  below  their  Place 
fRefidence,  and  not  be  incommodious  to  them.  When 
ley  have  chofen  a  Situation,  they  begin  to  work  with 
mazing  Induftry ;  they  fcoop  out  the  Earth,  and  even 
irry  it  to  a  confiderable  Diilance.  Their  Adivity  muft  be 
ery  great,  fmce,  in  the  Space  of  a  few  Days,  they  build 
nder  Ground,  an  Habitation  above  a  Foot  high,  and  as 
luch  in  Breadth.  Whilft  fome  are  digging,  others  are  in 
le  Fields,  feeking  Materials  for  the  Edifice.  In  Proper- 
on.  to  their  calling  out  the  Earth,  they  ftrengthen  the 
.oof,  and  prevents  its  falling  in,  by  cementing  it  with 
riew;  they  then  affix  it  to  the  Foundation  of  their  Build- 
ig,  which  they  continue  to  finifh  downwards,  as  if  they 
^ould  make  a  Bell,  and  clofe  it  at  the  Bottom. 

Che^j.  How  are  they  able  to  remove  and  throw  out  the 
arth  ?  I  can  hardly  comprehend  that  Flies  ihould  be  ca- 
fible  to  fink  themfelves  a  Dwelling  fo  deep. 

Frior,  They  are  provided  with  excellent 
bols  for  that  Purpofe  :  Out  of  their  Mouth     Their  Tools, 
Trunk  extends,   near  which  are  two  little 
iws  that  play  againll  each  other  to  the  Right  and  Left. 
sfides  thefe,    they  have  two  large  Horns  and  fix  Feet. 
don't  know  whether  they  employ   their  Trunk   or  not, 
3on  this  Occafion  ;    but  they  firft,  with  their  Saws,    cut 
e  Earth  into  little  Particles,  and  carry  it  away  with  their 

iWS.  rrx-.i    w;.(;    :■.,.;* 

Che^v,  I  have  a  particular  Curiofity  to  know  \that^Mate- 
als  compofe  this  Building.    T  ^\ 

Frior.  They  are  only  Wood,  and Glew;  The  Mate-; 
'he  Mule  Wafps  are  difpatched  to  cut  the  "^^'  ®^  ^^^  ^ 
mer  out  of  the  Frames  of  Windows,     ^^^'' 

E  Lattice? 


74  DIALOGUE    V. 

Lattices  of  Arbours,  and  Extremities  of  the  Roofs  of  i 
Houfes;  they  faw  and  carry  off  a  vaft 
ner  Number  of  minute  Shivers;  and  when 
of  buUdillg'kr  they  have  hacked  them  very  fmall,  a-, 
mafs  little  Heaps  with  their  Paws,  and 
pour  in  a  few  Drops  of  a  glutinous  Liquor,  by  the  Aid  of 
which  they  knead  the  whole  into  a  Palte,  and  then  round 
it  into  a  Ball.  At  their  Return  home,  they  place  the  Ball 
upon  that  Part  of  the  Building,  which  they  would  either 
lengthen,  or  make  thicker:  They  fpread  it  out  with  their 
Trunk  and  Paws,  going  backward  all  the  way.  Whea 
the  Ball  is  reduced  to  a  level  Surface,  the  Wafp  returns  to 
his  firft  Stand,  where  he  began  to  fpread  the  Pafle.  He 
then  preffes  and  fpreads  it  anew,  and  always  with  a  retro- 
grade Motion  of  the  Body,  'till  he  arrives  at  the  oppofite 
Side;  and  when  he  has  repeated  this  Operation  two  or 
three  times,  this  pliable  Compofition  of  Wood  and  Glew 
becomes  a  fmall  Leaf,  of  a  grey  Colour,  but  fo  exceeding 
thin,  that  the  fineft  of  our  Paper  is  not  at  all  comparable  to 
it.  The  Mule  Wafp  having  compleated  his  Work,  on  this 
flril  Ball,  returns  to  the  Fields  for  more,  which  he  Hill  forms 
into  Leaves,  and  lays  them  one  over  another.  Some  of  his 
Fellow-Labourers  place  new  ones  on  the  former,  and  all 
thefe  Leaves,  thus  joined  and  cemented  with  the  fame  Glew, 
form  the  grand  Cupola  which  bends  over  the  whole  Habi- 
tation.    The  Cells  and  Columns  are  made  with  the  fame 

Materials.  ,     ^  i 

Chev.  If  I  can  judge  by  my  Touch,  the  Columns  are 
exuemely  hard,  and  much  more  fo  than  the  Dome. 

Prior.  Your  Obfervation  is  juit ;  and  it 
The  Columns,  is  very  certain  they  are  particularly  care- 
ful to  harden  thofe  Columns.  I  don't  know 
whether  the  Matter  be  more  com  pad  and  tenacious,  or 
whether  they  cement  it  with  a  larger  Quantity  of  Glew ; 
but  it  is  very  natural,  that  what  fuilains  the  Pile  Ihould  have 

the  moft  Solidity.  ,    r    v   i    n-i 

Chev.  Can  you  acquaint  me.  Sir,  why  thefe  little  Pil- 
lars have  larger  Dimenfions  in  the  two  Extremes,  where 
thev  touch  the  upper  and  lower  Stories  | 

Prior.  The  Materials  are  fpared,  with  a  prudent  Fruga- 
lity, in  the  Shaft  of  the  Pillar,  but  it  could  neither  fup- 
port  itfelf  on  its  Bafis,   nor  fullain  its  Architrave,  without 

5  being 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  ^^ 

)eing  well  fixed  and  glewed  at  the  Points  of  Conmft 
iis  tor  this  Reafon  the  two  Extremities  were  fwelled  thar 
hey  mjght  corer  a  larger  Surface,  as  it  is  certain  that  a 
ITTP'p""'^"''"""!  °i  ^^'^  ^^'  ^  "^"'•^  foviceableEf! 
:fpkal  °'"  ^        ^P'  ^  ^'^'^  ^^"'^'^  ^^^'^  ^^2afe  and 

C/^w.  There  is  a  great  deal  of  Judgment  in  all  this- 
tut  what  is  the  Meaning  of  thefe  tWo  Openings  ?  ' 

Pnor.  One  is  a  Paflage  into  the  Edifice,      " 
nd  the  other  leads  out  of  it ;   through  the    The  Doo« 
rft  of  thefe  fuch  Wafps  enter   who  are     ''''^'^''• 
liarged  with  Burdens;  thofe  who  are  going  to  the  Fields 
afs  out  at  the  other,  and,  by  this  Contrivance,  they  have 
0  Interruption  m  their  Motions.  ^ 

^^i^r  ^  ,ft*  ^^^y  ^*^«  3  free  Paffage  un- 
er  thefe  different  Stories,  and  may  enter    The  Stories 
ito  which  Manfion  they  pleafe.     All  the 

rve  areclofed  up  xv.th  a  fort  of  Parchment:    But  here 
e  feveral  others  too,    that  I  find  fhut  up  in  the  fame 

m£  Sf./o     V  *^^^"\y°"  to  count  the  Stories,  that 
)u  fee  raifed  one  above  another,  like  a  Pile  of  Cake 
C^ey.  I  count  eleven  J  but  this  at  the  Top  is  very  fmall 

Pnor.   The  moft    remarkable  Circum- 

mZl'A     fV"^  ^""^^  ^'^  ^J^°le  Cakes     The  Cells 
mpofed  of  fpacous  Apartments,    and  o- 
rs  parcelled  out  into  fuch  as  are  very  fcanty.  The  lars^e 
lis  are  appropr  ated  to  receive  th^T^J^.        u-X.     ^ 

ha  Male  or  Female     Th^  T^^'     "^  ,22'.  ""Pregnated 
It  two  twelfths  of  'Ar^  TnrV.    ^  •  ^^"gt^,  and  a- 


^  "  Depth, 


76  DIALOGUE     V. 

Depth     and  fomething  more  than  three  in  breadth ;    the 
Columns  may  be  fix  twelfths  of  an  Inch  in  height 

Chcv.  I  difcover  thirty  nme  or  forty  Columns  between 
one  Story  and  another.  u'.    /     r    .    i 

Prior   Yoa  will  fometimes  find  more  j  but  at  prefent  ob- 
ferve  the  Regularity  of  the  Cells;  they  are  all  Hexagonal, 
which     in  every  Refpea,    is  the  moft  commodious  Figure 
for  a  Range  of  Cells,   where  there  are  no  Vacuities;  were 
they  round,  they  would  only  touch  one  another,  in  a  fingle 
Point    and  the  void  Interval  would  have  been  quite  lort; 
had  they  been  triangular  or  fquare,   they  might  certainly 
have  been  very  well  conneaed  together;    but  then -the  An-,. 
gles  within  would  have  been  loft,  becaufe  the  Animaj,   for., 
whofe  Habitation  they  were  intended,  is  round. ,    Hexa- 
gons approach  the  neareft  to  a  circular  Figure,  and  have  all' 
Their  Sides  exaaiy  adhering  to  each  other,    fo  that  there  is,; 
no  ufelefs  or  unneceffary  Vacancy  between  them,  and  ev-ery 
Lodge,  weak  as  it  is,  becomes  fixed  and  fobd  by   its  Co- 
incidence  with  others.  ^      ^  ..    a    " 

Chev  Believe  me.  Sir,  the  fineft  Palace  would  notafto- 
nilh  me  fo  much  as  the  Regularity  of  thefe  mmme  Apart- 
ments :  But  let  us  now  proceed  to  the  Food  ot  Wafps; 
for  I  fee  you  are  perfeaiy  acquainted  with  every  Particular 

in  this  little  Nation.  ^  .    .     '  .     , 

Prior.  I  forgive  them  all  the  Injuries  I  ever  received 
from  them,  and  the  Honey  of  which  they  have  robbed  me, 
for  the  Sake  of  the  Pleafure  I  have  had  m  iludying  their 
Manner  of  fubfifting.  They  love  to  lodge  themfelyes  in 
the  Neighbourhood  of  Bees,  Vineyards,  and  the  beft  Gar- 
den Vines,  and  have  a  particular  Fondnefs  for  a  Kitchen; 
where  they  meet  with  Provifions  already  prepared.  The 
Mule-Wafps,  and  even  the  Males,  range  the  Fields  for 
Prev  they  expatiate  every  where  with  Intrepidity,  and 
venture  into  the  very  Hives  of  Bees  who  are  fometimes 
^uch  embariaffed  to  defend  themfelves  from  tneir  Inva- 
fions  When  there  is  no  Honey  to  be  found,  they  fall 
upon  the  beft  Fruits,  and  are  never  miftaken  m  their 
Choice'  The  Apricot,  for  Inltance,  is  very  palatable  to 
^lenl  'tis  the  fame  with  the  Bon-Chretien,  and  other 
dSe  Pears;  the  raddieil  Peaches,  and  the npeft  Gnipes. 
efpecially  the  Mufcadine,  are  their  ufual  Food,  accord- 
gto  the  Scafon;    but  for  all  this,   they  are  no^t jver 


0/  r  N  S  E  C  T  S.  77 

dainty,  for  at  other  Times  they  can  fubmit  to  any  Diet. 
Nothing  comes  amifs  to  them  in  a  Kitchen;  they  can 
take  up  with  Fowl,  Bacon,  or  even  Butcher's  Meat,  and 
are  not  To  nice  as  to  defpife  any  thing.  Jfthey  lighten 
the  Shambles  in  their  Way,  they  immediately  look  to  the 
material  Point,  and  have  no  Thoughts  of  proceeding  far- 
ther :  Here  they  fall  to  work,  and  carry  off  Bits  of  Flelh, 
as  big  as  themfelves,  to  their  Nefl,  where  the  Females 
diftribute  their  Proyifion  among  their  little  Offspring.  The 
Butchers,  who  have  Difcretion  enough  to  underlland  their 
ov/n  Interefl,  accommodate  the  Matter  with  them,  and 
very  hofpitably  prelent  them  with  a  Piece  of  Neat's,  or 
Galf^s  Liver.  This  they  fallen  upon  preferably  to  any 
other  Food  that  has  Fibres,  which  are  too  long  and  diffi- 
cult for  them,  to  cut  through*  But  it  is  not  only  to  divert 
them  from  other  Meat,  that  the  Butchers  compound  the 
Matter  with  them  at  this  Expence  ;  they  derive  a  great 
Advantage  from  this  Proceeding!,  and  are  not  at  all  diffa- 
tisfied  with  the  Vifits  they  receive  from  the  Wafps;  for 
whilft  thefe  Creatures  are  regaling  themfelves  with  the 
Liver,  there  is ^no  Reafon  to  fear  that  any  Fly,  or  other 
Ihfedl,  will  approach  the  Place,  and  make  Depredations 
CKn  the  Meat,  becaufe  the  Wafps  keep  Gentry,  and  chace 
them  without  giving  any  Quarter  ;  and  the  Fly  would  be 
rery  daring,  that  fhould  then  prefums  to  make  its  Ap* 
pearance  :  The  worlt  that '  can  happen  is  this ;  the  Wafps 
nay,  here  and  there,  mangle  fome  other  Provifions  at 
:heir  own  Difcretion,  but  the  Inconvenience  is  not  very 
:onfiderable,  becaufe  this  Animal  defiles  nothing,  the  Fe- 
male  always  confining  herfelf  to  the  Hive  with  her  Eggs ; 
ivhereas  the  Fly  is  very  fedulous  to  lay  her  own  in  fome 
Piece  of  Meat,  or  other,  v/hich  is  very  prejudicial  to  the 
Butchers. 

Che^u,  I  am  extremely  pleafed  with   Wafps,  and  pe 
:eive  they  are  very  ingenuous  Creatures. 

Prior.  I  find  their  Induflry  and  Neatnefs  make  you  pre- 
udiced  in  their  Favour,  but  I  muft  tell  you  the  whole 
Pruth:  They  deflroy  all  the  Merit  of  thefe  plaufible  Qua- 
ities,  by  others  that  are  very  pernicious.  They  are  ex- 
;eedingiy  rapacious  and  cruel,  and,  if  I  may  ufe  the  Ex- 
)refrion,  are  mere  Pirates  and  Cannibals  to  the  Nation  of 
^65  ;    not  fatisfied  with  Healing  Honey,  they  murder  the 

E  3  very 


7S  D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E   V. 

very  Makers;  they  feize,  theycrufh,  they  kill,  nay,  they 
even  devour  their  Enemies :  This  is  far  from  beino-  an  a- 
miable  Behaviour.  But,  without  excufing  them,  I  may 
venture  to  fay,  that  in  thefe  Particulars,  they  refemble  great 
Numbers  of  our  own  Species,  and  even  our  Europeans 
themfeives.  The  Wafps  plunder  and  devour  other  Flies. 
'Tis  the  very  fame  with  us :  How  many  Men  are  Wafps 
in  the  higheft  Degree,  with  refped  to  their  Fellow 
Creatures  ?  The  Difference  is,  that  Wafps  are  vora- 
cious by  a  natural  Inftindl  that  impels  them ;  whereas  Man 
is  a  MaIefa<^or  by  Choice,  and  in  Oppofition  to  the 
Didates  of  Reafon  that  enlightens  him.  We  may  add, 
that  the  Neceifity  Wafps  are  under  of  conflantly  providing 
for  a  numerous  Family,  in  fome  Meafure  excufes  their 
.Avidity.  But  to  proceed :  The  Diflribution  of  the  Food 
is  made  with  a  great  deal  of  Exa6lnefs ;  the  Mothers  are 
charged  with  this  Care,  and  are  fometimes  aflifled  by  the 
Mule-Wafps.  ^ 

The  iirft  Thing  difcoverable,  at  the  Bottom  of  each 
Cell ;  is  a  little  Egg  faften'd  with  a  vifcous  Subflance,  to 
preferve  it  from  falling.  Into  this  Cell  one  may  fee  the 
Dam  frequently  enter,  who  apparently  communicates  a 
genial  Warmth  to  the  Egg  in  order  to  facilitate  the  Birth. 
From  this  Egg  proceeds  a  little  Worm,  which  the  Parent 
carefully  nourifnes,  and  which  by  degrees  increafes  in 
Bulk,  and  thrives  very  fuccefsfully,  filling  the  whole  A- 
partment  with  the  Roundnefs  of  its  Form.  The  Moth^ 
after  fhe  has  received  and  divided  the  Provifion  brought 
to  her  by  the  Mules,  goes  from  Chamber  to  Chamber, 
diflributing  Portions  of  it  with  her  Mouth  to  each  Worm, 
in  its  Turn,  and  all  this  with  the  greatell  Equality,  except 
only,  that  her  Supplies  are  more  frequently  imparted  to 
the  large  Worms,  who  are  to  produce  the  Males  and  Fe- 
males. Turn  up  the  Hive,  Sir,  and  look  into'  the  Entrance 
of  thefe  Cells,  —  What  do  you  difcover  there  ? 

ChcR}.  I  fee  the  large  Worms  you  mention.  Here  is 
one  who  opens  its  Mouth,  and  takes  my  Finger  for  its 
Dam. 

Prior.  He  has  been  negleded  ever  fmce  Yeflerday,  and 
without  doubt,  has  a  pretty  good  Appetite. 

Che-j.  But  a  great  many  of  the  Cells  are  flopped  up. 

Prior. 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  79 

Prior.  The  Affair  is  this:  All  thefe 
WormSj  after  a  certain  Period,  ceafe  to  be  The  Nymphs. 
:)urdenfome  to  their  Mothers.  They  leave 
DfF  eating,  and  will  receive  no  more  Suftenance.  *Tis  then 
:hey  begin  to  employ  their  Mouths  in  fpinning  a  very 
ine  Silk,  one  end  of  which  they  glew  to  the  Opening  in- 
:o  their  Apartment,  and  then  winding  their  Head  from 
Side  to  Side,  they  fallen  it  to  different  Places ;  and  by 
Virtue  of  their  repeated  Motions,  form  with  the  Silk,  that 
continually  lengthens,  a  Kind  of  light  Stuff,  that  ferves  to 
:lore  up  the  PafTage.  In  this  Retirement,  they  divell 
themfelves  of  their  Skin,  the  Worm  dies,  her  Spoil  falls 
to  the  Bottom  of  the  Ceil,  and  nothing  now  remains  but 
1  white  Nymph,  who  gradually  difengages  her  Feet  and 
Wings,  and  infenfibly  acquires  the  Form  and  Complexion 
of  a  perfedl  Wafp.  Break  fome  of  thefe  Partitions,  and 
yoM  will  fee  her,  as  it  were,  fwaddled  up,  and  only  ex- 
hibiting to  view,  an  imperfedl  Sketch  of  the  delicate 
Limbs  of  the  fucceeding  Animal,  who  gently  fortifies 
himfelf  in  the  little  Manfion  which  protedls  him  from 
Danger,  till  his  Feet  are  all  unfolded,  and  then  he 
breaks  through  the  Partition  that  fhuts  him  up.  I  am 
now  going  to  fhew  you  this :  Here,  Sir,  is  a  Worm 
changed  into  a  Nymph. 

Che'v.  What  an  agreeable  Figure  it  makes  with  its  ex- 
tended Chin  bending  back,  and  the  Paws  joinM  together. 

Prior.  Some  Infedls  continue  whole  Years  in  this  State 
of  Nymphs,  but  the  Wafp  is  not  confined  to  it  above 
twelve,  or  MiQQn  Days  at  moll;  after  which,  finding  him- 
felf equipped  with  all  his  Furniture,  he  demolifhes  the 
Door  of  his  Cell.  You  may  then  fee  him  extend,  firil 
one  Horn,  and  then  another ;  to  thefe  a  Paw  fucceeds,  the 
Head  grows  vifible  next,  and  the  Aperture  widens  with 
the  Efforts  of  the  Infed's  Body,  till  at  laft  he  comes  out 
a  compleat  Wafp ;  whofe  firfl  Employment  is  to  wipe 
off  the  Humidity  from  his  little  Wings,  with  his  hind  Feet, 
which  bru(h  them  for  fome  Time ;  after  which,  he  fprings 
immediately  into  the  Air,  and  flies  to  the  Fields  to  pillage 
with  the  refl  of  his  Species,  whofe  Addrefs  and  Malignity 
he  begins  to  imitate  from  that  Day. 

Chev.  How  !  without  any  Apprenticfefhip  ? 

E  4.  Prior. 


8o  DIALOGUE    V, 

Prior,  Moft  certainly. As  for  the  A4ule  Wafp,  il 

falls  to  plundering  the  Moment  it  leaves  its  Retreat.  The 
Male,  when  he  quits  his,  pafTes  away  fome  Time  in  fport-- 
ing,  and  then  goes  to  make  his  Court  to  the  Queen  of 
that  Quarter.  But  as  foon  as  ever  the  Female  makes  her 
Ar/pearance,  fhe  is  bufied  with  the  Management  of  her 
Family. 

Che%\  I  find  the  Mother  has  a  very  agreeable  Time  of 
it  in  this  Country  i  but  I  can't  help  pitying  the  poor 
Mules,  who  are  charged  with  the  Weight  and  Fatigue  of 
all  the  Work. 

Prior,  It's  true,  the  Mothers  are  well  treated ;  they 
have  the  bell  of  the  Provifions,  and  are  ferved  with  the 
greateil  Afliduity  and  Refpedl.  Nothing  can  equal  the  Po- 
litenefs  of  their  Conforts,  and  indeed  of  the  whole  Tribe. 
But  then  the  Number  of  thefe  Mothers  is  vtry  inconfide- 
rable,'  and  they  have  a  prodigious  Family  to  manage. 
"When  you  confider  the  Quantity  of  Eggs  they  are  to  lay, 
the  Multitude  of  Young  they  muil  nouriih,  the  Neceffity 
they  are  under  of  perpetually. going  from  Cell  to  Cell, 
and  from  one  Story  to  another,  to  vifit  and  give  Satisfa- 
^ion  to  each  Individual;  to  be  eternally  repeating  the 
fame  Labour,  and,  what  is  worfe,  to  be  conllantly  confined 
at  home;  I  fay,  when  you  confider  all  this,  you  will 
agree,  that  a  Mother-Wafp  is  in  a  very  indifferent  Situa- 
tion. As  for  the  Mules  you  are  fo  compalTionate  to, 
their  Condition  is  much  more  eligible ;  they  wing  the  Air 
in  queft  of  Food,  they  pillage,  they  eat,  and  fleep  with- 
out the  lead  Anxiety,  and  are  certainly  the  Happieil  of 
all  the  Clan. 

Che^.  Do  the  Wafps,  Sir,  make  any  Provifion  for  the 
Winter  ? 

Prior,  They  don't  fo  much  as  take  Thought  for  the  Mor- 
ronv. 

Chev,  How  are  they  able  then  to  pafs  that  long  and 
i^ncomfortable  Seafon  ? 

Prior.  At  the  Approach  of  Winter  every  Thing  changes 

in  this  Republic  :    When  the  firfl  Colds  begin  to  be  felt, 

the  Females  and  their  Conforts,  who  till  then 

Their  Seve-     were    fo    tenderly    affeded    towards    their 

rity.  Young,  deftroy  the  whole  Offspring ;  Eggs, 

Worms,  Nymphs,   complete  Wafps,    all 

are 


0/  I  N  s  E  c  T  s.  e^ 

ire  involved  in  the  common  Defolation  ;  they  cafl  every' 
hing  out  of  the  Hive,  and  leave  the  very  Cells  in 
[luins. 

Che^v.  What  can  occafion  this  Change,  and  infpire  them 
vith  lb  much  Fury? 

Prior.  'Tis  becaufe  they  are  fenfible  they  have  no  more 
rime  allotted  them  to  bring  their  Embrios  to  Perfedion, 
md  therefore  refolve  to  charge  themfelves  no  longer  with 
in  unavailing  Care.  When  the  Sun  fhines,  they  fometimes 
ake  the  Air,  but  joy  and  Alacrity  ceafes  among  them  ; 
hey  all  languifh  and  difperfe ;  they  ihrink  from  the  Cold, 
md  endeavour  to  Ihroud  themfelves  as  commodioufly  as 
hey  can.  Thofe  who  continue  in  the  Hive,  pafsthe  Win- 
er there  without  either  having,  or  feeking  any  Suilenance. 
rhey  are  either  benummed,  or  killed  by  the  Froil,  and 
ometimes  out  of  eight  or  nine  Thoufand  Wafps,  or  a  much 
greater  Number,  that  inhabited  the  Hive,  only  two  or 
hree  Dams  furvive. 

C^e^.  How  can  the  Species  then  be  preferved  ? 

Prior,  The  Mothers  are  the  mofl  vigorous 
nd  their  Bodies  the  beft  adapted  to  refill  The  Fecun- 
he  Cold.  Could  you  believe  one  Female  <3ity  of  Female 
V^Cp  Ihould  be  fufHcient  to  produce  a  Wafps, 
/hole  Swarm  the  enfuing  Year  ?  She  builds 
NO  or  three  Cells,  that  form  a  Kind  of  little  Clufter^' 
;levv'd  by  the  Stalk  to  the  Top  of  the  Cavity,  fhe  has 
ither  dug  or  found.  There  fhe  lays  and  hatches  a  couple 
f  Mule  Eggs,  and  feeks  for  Food  to  fupport  the  Young, 
"he  whole  Care  lyes  upon  her,  as  you  obferve.  The 
wo  Worms  fatiate  themfelves  with  eating,  after  which 
hey  fpin  for  fome  Days,  and  then  clofe  up  the  Entrance 
ito  their  Cells.  You  fee  there  are  two  young  Wafps  al- 
eady  in  Being.  The  Parent  being  now  difcharged  from 
iie^  Care  of  their  Maintenance,  forms  two  other  Cells,  and 
/hilfl  each  of  the  new  Eggs  fhe  has  laid  are  Hatching, 
nd  the  Young  coming  afterwards  to  Maturity,  the  firft 
/lule  Wafps  break  out  of  their  Confinement,  and  begin  to 
/ork  with  the  Mother  Infed;  and  now  there  are  three 
1  Company.  Fifteen  Days  after  which,  the  fecond 
Irood  adds  to  the  Number ;  they  increafe,  and  begin  to 
njoyall  tfe  Advantages  of  Society,    Tiiey  accommodate 

E  5  '  themfelves 


$2         DIALOGUE    V. 

themfelves  with  a  large  and  commodious  Apartment.  The 
little  Clufler  of  Cells  is  daily  augmenting ;  and  then  the 
Mother  lays  firft  a  Male,  and  then  a  Female  Egg.  You 
would  imagine  ihe  did  all  this  by  Injundion,  fmce  Ihe 
adjufts  the  Dimenfions  of  the  Lodge  to  the  Size  of  the 
Male  or  Female  who  is  to  be  born.  The  Male  becomes 
a  Hufband,  and  the  Female  a  Mother.  If  there  are  two 
Mothers  in  the  Month  of  7««^,  there  will  be  fifty  within 
three  Weeks  afterwards,  and  thefe  fifty  will  produce  above 
ten  Thoufand  Wafps  before  the  Month  of  OSiober. 

This,  Sir,  is  what  I  had  to  obferve  upon  the  Article  of 
Wafps.  It  is  not  material  for  me  to  entertain  you  with 
any  other  Species  of  thefe  Infeds,  fome  of  which  hang 
their  Nefts  on  the  Branches  of  Trees ;  and  others,  who 
are  fometimes  twice  as  large  as  the  common  Sort,  build 
their  Neil  under  a  Roof,  or  in  a  Pile  of  Timber.  The 
Induftry  and  Prudence  of  each  Species  is  much  the  fame, 
and  you  may  form  a  Judgment  of  the  Works  of  thefe  laft, 
by  what  I  have  related  of  common  Wafps,  whofe  Conduct 
I  have  had  better  Opportunities  of  obferving.  But  that 
which,  above  all,  I  am  never  weary  of  admiring,  in  all 
thefe  Species,  is  the  Variety  and  Juftnefs  of  the  Means, 
by   which  Providence   arrays,    feeds,   and  defends  every 

Clafs. 

Chev.  But  you  have  told  me  nothing,  Sir,  of  the  Sting 
of  a  Wafp  :  Are  they  not  provided  with  one  ? 

Prior,  Not  provided  with  one !  Yes,  I  am  but  too 

fenfible  of  it  to  my  Coft,  and  have  felt  it  more  than  once : 
I  affure  you  I  have  fmarted  pretty  handfomely,  before  I 
could  make  the  Difcoveries  I  have  imparted  to  you  ;  but 
I  would  willingly  be  expofed  to  greater  Hazards,  provided 
they  would  enable  me  to  teach  you  any  ufeful  Knowledge 
in  an  agreeable  Manner.  .     , ,  ^         ,i     , 

Chev.  It  is  not  reafonable  that  I  fliould  have  all  the 
Pleafure,  and  you  the  Pain. 

Priori  Pardon  me.  Sir,  nothing  is  more  conhltent. 
It  is  but  reafonable  that  Thorns  and  Stings  ihould  fall 
to  the  Lot  of  him  who  undertakes  to  teach  others,  and 
that  Pleafure  alone  fhould  be  the  Share  of  thofe  who  are 
willing  to  learn.  ^    r    i.  tt    j 

Cb$^.  I  think  my felf  exceedingly  happy  ui  fttch  Hands. 

Ana 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  a  83 

^nd  now.  Sir,  fliall  we  make  a  Tranfition  from  Wafps  to 
lees  ? 

Prior.  I  Ihall  do  it  with  Pleafure ;  and,  in  explaining 
i  you  the  Strufture  of  a  Bees  Sting,  Ihall  fufficiently  de- 
:ribe  that  of  a  Wafp,  which  is  the  very  fame.  But  we 
null:  defer  this  Subjed  till  to  morrow,  for  at  prefent  'tis 
npoflible  for  me  to  enter  upon  it;  becaufe  1  fee  fome 
•eople  waiting  for  me.  I  am  really  a  Servant  to  my  Pa- 
ifhioners,  and  tho'  I  have  an  uncommon  Pleafure  in  your 
:ompany,  I  am  yet  obliged  at  prefent  to  take  my  Leave. 

The  End  of  the  fifth  Dialogue. 


E  6  BEES. 


84         DIALOGUE    VI. 


BEES. 


Dialogue     VI. 

^he  Count,  and  Countess. 
"The  Prior,  and 
T^he  Ch  e  valier. 

Countefs.  "11  r-E  have  at  lall  difengaged  oarfelves.  Sir, 
^  V  V  from  the  Company  who  interrupted  our 
Converfations  ;  and  the  Prior  has  fent  to  acquaint  us,  he 
will  be  here  immediately.  In  the  mean  Time,  may  we 
know  what  your  Converfation  turned  upon  Yellerday. 

Che'v,  Inilead  of  entertaining  me  with  a  long  Difcourfe 
on  the  various  Conditions  and  Employments  of  Wafps, 
the  Prior  brought  me  an  entire  Neft  of  thofe  Creatures ; 
he  ihewed  me  an  Inclofure  filled  with  feveral  Ranks  of 
Stories,  and  a  Number  of  Apartments,  fome  quite  open, 
in  which  there  w^as  only  one  Egg,  or  a  living  Worm^ 
others  were  clofed  up,  and  lodged  the  Nymphs  that  were 
ready  to  become  perfe^  Wafps.  Others  had  their  Doors 
begun  to  be  broken  down*,  out  of  which  I  faw  a  beautiful 
Wafp  iffue,  as  I  was. carrying  the  Neft,  the  Prior  pre- 
fented  me  with,  to  my  Chamber.  I  intend  to  have  a  Box 
made  on  purpofe  to  preferve  it. 

Count.  Take  care,  however,  to  expofe  it,  for  fome 
Days,  m  the  warmeft  Sun  fhine,  or  even  at  the  Fire,  to 
celtroy  the  Infers  that  may  ftill  be  living  there.  I  need 
m  give  you  a  R^afon  for  this  Precaution.    As  to  the 

reft. 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  8^ 

reft,  I  am  very  glad  you  have  an  Idea  of  the  Labours  of 
a  Wafp,  fmce  it  will  make  you  more  eafily  comprehend 
our  Account  of  Bees. 

Che'v,  I  fee  the  Prior  coming  up  to  our  Arbour.  What 
does  he  carry  under  his  Arm  ?  I  fancy  you'll  find  it  ano- 
ther Prefent  for  me. 

Cou?2tefs.  He  certainly  brings  you  fome  new  Effay,  ca- 
pable of  ocular  DemoflratiSn.  'lis  no  lefs  than  a  Honey- 
Comb. 

Chea;.  That  is  what  I  have  never  feen.  It  is  a  happy 
Thing  to  have  to  do  with  the  Prior^  for  one  immediately 
finds  every  Wifh  gratified. 

Prior,  I  had  no  occafion.  Sir,  to  go  very  far  for  what 
I  have  brought ;  it  was  all  at  my  own  Houfe, 

Count.  Let  us  be  feated  then :  Our  Converfation  mufl 
now  turn  on  a  very  important  Subjed ;  we  are  going  to 
engage  in  Politics,  and  the  Government  of  States. 

Prior.  Our  Difcourfe  muil  be  a  little  diverfified,  aKd  fet 
off  with  an  Air  of  Dignity.  I  Yefterday  entertained  the 
Chevalier  with  nothing  but  Robberies  and  Murders,  but 
we  will  talk  to-day  of  publick  Welfiire,  Colonies,  Oecono- 
my.  Policy,  and  Application  to  Labour;  for  all  thefe 
make  up  the  diitinguiihing  Characler  of  the  Nation  of 
Bees.  Whatever  can  be  faid  on  the  Subjeifl  of  thefe  Crea- 
tures, may  be  reduced  to  two  ClalTes ;  one  comprehends 
the  Particulars  which  are  obvious  to  all  the  World,  and  fa- 
miliar to  the  Peafants  themfelves;  for  which  Reafon  1  (hall 
not  put  the  Count  to  the  Trouble  of  giving  us  a  Detail  of 
thefe.  The  other  contains  Points  of  much  greater  Curio- 
fity,  which  cannot  be  known  without  the  Aid  of  a  Glafs 
Hive,  and  Philofophic  Eyes.  His  Lordihip,  who  is  very 
well  provided  with  both,  will  take  upon  him  the  Province 
of  inilrudling  us. 

Che'v,  Is  it  true.  Sir,  that  the  Bees  have  a  King  ? 
Prior,  You  may  certainly  dillinguifh  three  forts  of  Bees 
in  a  Hive  *.  The  firil,  are  the  common  Species  who  ipak^ 
up  the  Populace ;  are  charged  with  all  the  Work,  and  feei|i 
to  be  neither  Male  nor  Female.  They  are  all  furn.ifhed 
with  a  Trunk  for  their  Labours,   aijd.a  Siting  for  their 

*  Memoirs  de  TAcad.  des  Scienci  J712.  M.  Maraldi.  Leuwenh,o?k's 
Arcan.  Nat.  Tom.  iii,  Ep»  135% 

Defence 


86         D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E    _VI. 

Defence.  The  fecond  fort  are  the  Drones,  who  are  of  a 
more  dufky  Complexion,  and  bigger  than  the  Bees  by 
one  third,  tho'  fome  indeed  have  been  found  of  the  fame 
Size  with  thefe.  The  Drones  have  been  thought  to  be  the 
Males,  and  befide  this,  they  have  no  Sting.  Above  an 
hundred  of  this  Species  have  been  found  in  a  little  Hive 
of  feven  or  eight  thoufand  Bees  *,  but  the  Number  is 
three  or  four  times  as  great,  in  a  large  Hive  of  feventeen 
or  eighteen  thoufand.  There  is  likewife  a  third  fort, 
much  more  vigorous  and  long  thai^i  the  Drones  themfelves, 
and  who  are  armed  with  a  Sting  like  the  Generality  of 
Bees  f .  It  is  thought  there  is  but  one  of  thefe  in  each 
Hive,  or  at  leait  but  one  in  every  Swarm  or  Colony  of 
young  Bees,  who,  from  time  to  time,  are  detach'd  from 
the  Hive,  and  go  to  fix  themfelves  in  another  Situation. 
Whether  we  ought,  with  the  Ancients,  to  call  this  large 
Bee  the  King;  or,  with  the  Moderns,  give  it  the  Title  of 
Qneen,  I  leave  the  Count  to  determine. 

Count,  By  the  Afiiftance  of  a  Glafs  Hive,  I  ordered  to 
be  made  for  my  Ufe,  I  have  obferved  very  diilindlly,   the^ 
three  ClafTes  of  Bees  the  Prior  has  been  defcribing,    and 
have  frequently  feen  the  large  Bee,   who  is  dignified  with 
the  Title  of  King,    marching  from  Chamber  to  Chamber. 
There  was  nothing  at  the  Bottom  of  the 
The  Queen.         Cell,   before  the  Infedl  fheathed  the  Extre- 
mity of  his  Body  in  the  Cavity ;    but  when 
it  retired,    I  obferved  an  Egg  left  behind :    From  whence 
'tis  natural  to  conclude  this  Bee  to  be  Female.      And  as  I 
have  often  taken  Notice,    that  in  a  whole  Swarm,    there 
was  generally  but  one  of  this  Species,    who  indeed  is  very 
remarkable,  tho'  there  are  fometimes  two,  but  never  more 
than  three,  I  thought  it  more  proper  to  call  her  the  Queen. 
However,    I  would  not  difagree  with  any  one  who  enter- 
tains a  different  Opinion,     But  what  are  t\iQ  Prior's  Senti- 
ments about  thofe  large  Bees  they  call  Drones  ?    They  are 
not  Foreigners,  becaufe  I  have  feen  them  born  in  Cells  pre- 
pared for  their  Reception,  and  which  are  larger  than  the 
others.     What  then  is  their  Province  ?  Shall  we  alTign  them 
to  the  Queen  as  her  Conforts  ?   My  Hive,  has  not,  as  yet, 

*  Maraldi. 

t  teuwenhock,  Arcan.  Nat.  Tom.  iii.  Bp.  135* 

furniflied 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S  87 

furnifhed  me  with  Difcoveries  on  that  Point,  that  are  alto- 
gether  fatisfadlory. 

Prior.  All  that  I  know,  my  Lord,  of  Drones,  is  this; 
they  have  a  Bag  of  Honey  in  their  Bellies,  like  other  Bees; 
with  this  Difference,  that  the  Bees  have  their  Bag  continu- 
ed by  a  little  Canal  to  their  Neck,  by  means  of  which  they 
difcharge  the  Honey  into  general  Magazines.  And  when 
you  prefs  a  Bee  never  fo  lightly,  the  Honey  immediately 
evacuates  thro'  this  Paffage,  which  is  not  the  Cafe  with  the 
Drone.  That  Creature  eats,  and  retains  all  for  its  own 
Benefit,  and  contributes  nothing  to  the  common  Stock.  It 
lives  in  Plenty,  and  never  works,  or  wanders  in  the  Fields ; 
but  at  the  moll,  only  takes  the  Air,  and  walks  in  full  Li- 
berty round  the  Hive :  it  has  no  Sting,  and  the  Reafon  why 
Nature  did  not  arm  it  with  one  is  evident :  It  has  no  Enemy 
to  fear.  As  to  the  reft,  I  cannot  perfuade  rayfelf,  that  a 
Nation  fo  remarkable  for  Oeconomy,  would  permit  fuch 
indolent  Companions  to  dwell  among  them,  unlefs  they 
were  neceffary  in  fome  Particular.  Some  have  fufpeded 
that  their  Province  is  to  fupply  the  Queen  with  Iffue,  or, 
in  other  Terms,  to  people  the  State  with  Subjeds. 

Count.  There  is  fomething  more  to  be 
obferved:  By  the  Anatomy  that  has  been  The  Males. 
made  of  them,  fome  have  thought  they 
have  difcovered  in  their  Strudure,  that  they  were  the  Au- 
thors of  Generation.  I  have  endeavoured  all  I  could  to 
obferve  in  my  tranfparent  Hive,  what  Charader  the  Drones 
maintained  with  refpedl  to  the  Queen ;  and  this  is  all  the 
Difcovery  I  was  capable  of  making.  The  Queen  keeps 
herfelf  retired  in  the  upper  Apartments  of  the  Comb,  and 
which  if  you  pleafe,  we  will  call  her  Palace,  She  very 
feldom  appears  in  public,  and  whenever  fhe  fhews  herfelf, 
you  will  always  fee  her  march  with  a  fedate  and  majeftick 
Air.  You  fmile,  Che<valier,  but  the  Matter  is  quite  other- 
wife.  She  never  walks  alone,  and  if  fhe  is  not  attended  by 
the  whole  Swarm,  fhe  is  at  lead  followed  by  feveral  large 
Bees,  who  are  probably  the  Drones  that  form  her  Court. 
As  the  Sovereign  takes  her  Walk  but  very  rarely,  and  as 
thefe  apparently  tend  to  the  general  Welfare,  whenever  they 
happen,  a  great  Feftival  is  celebrated  thro'  all  the  Domi- 
nions ;  the  whole  Nation  comes  abroad,  and  every  Subjedl 
is  all  Tranfport;  and,  in  prder  to  give  her  a  folemn  Re- 
ception 


88  D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E     VI. 

ception,  the  Bees  Iiang  upon  one  another  with  their  Paws, 
and,  in  lefs  thail  a  Moment,  form  a  large  Veil,  behin4 
which  'tis  impoffible  to  dir:over  an)^  thing  that  pafTes. 
This  Veil,  if  you  pleafe,  fhall  be  a  Suit  of  Tapeflry^ 
hung  in  honour  to  the  Queen's  Progrefs,  or  elfe  a  Curtain 
drawn  by  the  Domeiticks  before  her  — ~ — 

Prior.  Your  Lordfnip  afcribes  to  them  very  noble,  or, 
at  lead,   very  modelt  Intentions. 

Che^.  Is  not  ;this  Ceremony,  a  Dance  occafioned  bv  the 
Feftival?. ; '  ".',■'" 

Countejs,  AtJahce!  for  my  Part  I  don't  know,,  but  am 
fure  it  is  the  tail:  Thing  the  Prior  would  admits  for  he  is 
not  very  favourable  to  that  Diverfion. 

Count.  As  to  the  reft,  whatever  may  be  the  Intention  of 
thefe  Creatures,  in  hanging  thus  together  by  their  Paws, 
and  forming  themfelves  into  a  Chorus  at  the  Approach  of 
their  Sovereign,  the  Faft  is  incontellable  ;  and  i  have  af- 
terwards obferved,  that  the  Queen  proceeded  from  Cham- 
ber to  Chamber,  and  in  each  of  them  depofited  an  Eo-g, 
after  Ihe  had  privately  examined  whether  each  Apartment 
was  empty;  and  whilft  {he  funk  the  Extremity  of  her  Bo- 
dy into  any  Cell,  the  Drones  of  her  Court  ranged  them- 
felves m  a  Circle  round  her,  and  turning  their  Faces  to  ths 
Queen,  fluttered  theh-  Wings,  and  feemed  to  celebrate  the 
Nativity  of  this  new  Progeny.  She  peoples  ten,  twelve, 
and  fometimes  more  Cells  at  each  Fecundation ;  and  is* 
herfelf,  prolifick  enough  to  give  Birth  to  fix  or  feven  thou- 
fand  Young:  In  the  fpace  of  twelve  Months,  flie  can  fee 
her  Children's  Children,  by  the  Iniirumentality  of  two  or 
three  other  Bees  like  herfelf,  and  is,  in  one  Summer,  the 
Anceftor  of  eighteen  thoufand  Defcendants. 

Prior.  What  feems  to  compleat  the  Proof  that  .thefe 
Drones  are  fo  many  Stallions,  deftined  only  to  multiply 
their  Species,  is  this;  they  are  liberally  provided  for  the 
whole  Summer,  but  when  the  Queens  have  difcharged  their 
Swarms,  and  at  the  Approach  of  Autumn,  it  begins  to  be 
forefeen,  that  there  will  neither  be  Time  nor  Warmth  fuf- 
hcient  to  rear  a  new  Family,  then  the  Drones  are  perlecut- 
ed  and  expelled;  fince  they  are  found  to  be  chargeable  to 
the  Community,  where  they  only  confume  the  Provifions^ 
Ihe  Bees  no  longer  allow  them  to  continue  in  the  Hive 
Their  Averfion  extends  even  to  the  youi?g  Drones;    they 

ejedl 


Of   INSECT  S.  89 

ejea  them  from  their  Cells,  and  firfl  kill,  and  then  call 
them  out  of  the  Hive,  and  after  this  purfue  their  Fathers. 
'Tis  to  no  Purpoie  (or  them  to  bs  defirous  of  ftaying  there; 
the  Bees  feize  them  by  the  Wings  and  Shoulders,  they 
jiiftle  and  fatigue  them,'  and,  without  the  leafl  Remorfe, 
banifh  every  Individual,  except  perhaps  a  very  fev/,  and 
even  thofe  of  a  lefs  rapacious  Species,  whofe  Expences  are 
a  little  more  fupportable.  Theie  are  referved  for  the  Ne- 
ceiTities  of  the  enfuing  Year ;  which  I  the  rather  remark, 
becaufe  the  Queen  renews  her  Pregnancy  in  the  Spring ; 
tho'  one  fometimes  fees  among  them  only  thofe  Drones, 
who,  in  their  Shape  and  Dimenfions,  differ  very  little  from 
common  Bees? 

Che^.  And  what  becomes  of  thefe  poor  Drones  ?  they 
give  me  a  great  deal  of  Concern. 

Prior.  Rains,  Birds  and  Famine  are  their  Dellru(5lioii, 
and  the  Ground  near  the  Hive  is  covered  Vv'ith  their  Car- 
cafies. 

Countefs.  I  find  the  Hufbands  make  no  ytry  agreeble  Fi- 
gure in  this  Country. 

The  Maxim  is,  that  the  general  Welfare  Ihould  be  the 
iirfl  Law  of  the  State. 

Frior^  The  Bees  don't  think  themfelves  under  any  Obli- 
gation to  fupport  the  idle,  who,  in  one  Seafon  of  the  Year, 
would  confume  all  the  Labours  of  the  other,  and  efpecially 
at  a  time  when  the  Bees  themfelves  can  find  nothing  more 
to  fubfill  on ;  and  fo.  Chevalier,  if  the  Drones  are  con- 
ftrained  to  be  their  own  Caterers,  it  is  owing  not  only  to 
Oeconomy,  but  NecefTity  itfelf 

Cheqj.  You  are  very  unwilling.  Sir,  that  one  fhould  en- 
tertain an  ill  Opinion  of  your  favourite  Bees,  and  it  is 
evident  you  are  very  fond  of  this  Infedl. 

Prior.  I  confefs  they  furnifh  me  v/ith  a  profitable  Re « 
venue ;  and  I  have  known  fome  Years  wherein  my  Bees 
brought  me  in  more  than  my  Benefice. 

Countefs.  That  is  not  the  Reafon  v/hy  they  are  favoured 
with  your  Complaifance ;  you  are  warm  in  efpoufmg  their 
Intereft,  becaufe  they  faithfully  obferve  the  Moral  you 
inculcate,  that  thofe  who  will  not  work  Ihould  not  eat. 

Prior.  That  may  very  well  be ;  but,  all  Complaifance 
and  Interefl  apart,  'tis  impofiible  to  give  even  a  fmall  At- 
tention to  the  Manners  and  Maxims  of  this  little  People, 

without 


90  D  I  A  L.  O  G  U  E     VL 

without  finding  them  perfedlly  amiable  in  their  Condu6l  as 
well  as  their  Jnduflry. 

Chen),  Their  Manners,  I  confefs,  charm  me,  but  their 
Labours  deferve  a  little  Confideration,  and  that  is  the 
Point  1  would  willingly  come  to. 

Frior.  Before  I  entertain  you  upon  this 

The  Insple-     Head,   it  will  be  necefTary  to  let  you  fee 

micntsofBees.       their  Implements.      The  Count,    who  had 

Purveyed  them  with  his  Microfcopes  more 

accurately  than  myfelf,  will  not  be  fatisfied  with  any  thing 

I  can  advance. 

Count.  I  willingly  undertake  their  Defcription,  but  don't 
pretend  to  give  you  a  compleat  Analyfis  of  a  Bee's  Body; 
it  will  be  fufiicient,  my  dear  Che^valkr,  to  take  Notice  of 
the  principal  Parts  with  which  Nature  has  fupplied  them, 
and  the  UCe  to  which  they  are  devoted. 

The   Body  of  a  Bee  is    divided  by  two 
Ligaments,    into  three  Parts   or  Portions,        The  Form 
the  Head,    the  Breaft  and  the  Belly.      The     ^'^^  ^^^* 
Head  is  armed  with  two  Jaws,  and  a  Trunk : 
The  former  of  thefe  play  like  two  Saws,     '^^^  J^^^'- 
opening  and  fhutting  to  the  Right  and  Left :    Thefe  Saws 
ferve  them  inllead  of  Hands,    to  hold   and  knead  their 
Wax,    and  to  throw   away  whatever  incommodes   them. 
The  Trunk  is  a  —  but  I  ihall  do  better  to  imitate  the  Fr/V, 
and  addrefs  myfelf  to  your  Eyes,    fmce  I  have  an  Oppor- 
tunity of  fo  doing.     I  have  here  a  couple  of  thefe  Trunks, 
glewed  upon  two  Slips  of  Paper.     Look  upon  them  one 
after  another  in  the  Microfcope. 

Prior .  They  could  not  be  more  advantageoufly  placed 
to  make  one  diftinguifhed  by  means  of  the  other.  Perhaps 
the  Chevalier  may  think  thefe  two  Figures  are  the  fame, 
or  two  Trunks  that  have  a  perfed  Similitude  to  each 
other. 

Chen),  I  fee  one  is  twice  as  long  as  the  other ;  that  which 
is  the  longeft,  is  thick  at  one  End,  and  tapers  to  the  other 
Extremity ;  it  has  likewife  a  fmall  Bending  towards  the 
Middle,  and  at  the  Bottom,  is  wound  about,  by  four 
Branches  that  are  hollow  within,  like  a  Reed  cut  into  four 
Parts.     1  don't  comprehend  all  this. 

Count,  What  you  fay  is,  however,  very  juft.  Have  a 
little  Patience,  and  obferve  the  other, 

Chev, 


9J 

;hout 


begin 

muft 
Bee  of 
,  and 
of  its 
r  tdd 
point- 
Deity 

he  is 


A  that 

here  it 

ind  it, 

3  your 

3od  in 

)m  you 

lat  Ufe 

s  fuch, 

oney  in 

a  in  a 

:hat  ap- 

s  preci- 

;  Means 

•vation. 

ant  and 

be  ena- 

1  Impe- 

hem  of 

ays  ex- 

le  to  be 

impofed 

oint,  in 

leceiTary 

p5  and, 

ir  ftrong 

I  two  o- 

encom- 

Counf, 


■7<^a{?  J^  ^.  I  /^^^^^c 


I 


Be£J. 


90 

Without 
well  as  t 
Che-v. 
Labours 
Point  I  V 

The  In 
»icnts  of  Bt 

accuratel] 
I  can  ad- 

Count, 
pretend  t* 
it  will  be 
the  princ 
and  the  I 

The  I 
Ligament 
the  Head 
Head  is  a 
The  forn 
opening  i 
ferve  the 
Wax,  ar 
The  Tru] 
and  addr 
tunity  of 
glewed  u 
after  anot 

Prior. 
to  make  < 
the  Chenjc 
or  two  1 
other. 

Che^v. 
is  the  Ion; 
Extremity 
Middle,  ' 
Branches 
Parts.     I 

Count, 
little  Pati( 


^^ 


^^     0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  91 

Chen).  The  other  is  flill  thicker,  very  Ihort,  and  without 
the  four  Branches 

Count.  Are  you  Aire  of  that  ? 

Che'v,  Stay,  my  Lord,  if  you  pleafe ;  I  think  I  begin 
to  difcover  them  more  exaftly :  This  fecond  Trunk  muft 
needs  be  flieathed,  and  the  Branches  perform  the  Office  of 
a  Scabbard.  The  firll Trunk  is  unfolded  for  Work,  and 
the  fecond  wrapped  up  in  the  peaceful  Enjoyment  of  its 
Acquifitions.  This  evidently  jufiiiies  what  the  Prior  told 
me  laft.  That  the  minuted  Things  in  Nature  were  appoint- 
ed to  fome  peculiar  End  and  Purpofe ;  and  that  the  Deity 
is  as  confpicuous  in  the  Structure  of  a  Fly's  Paw,  as  he  is 
Jh  the  bright  Globe  of  the  Sun  himfelf. 

Frior,  You  muft  habituate  yourfelf  to  comprehend  that 
this  Appointment  is  certain,  even  in  thofe  Things  where  it 
is  not  underftood ;  becaufe  at  every  Step  you  will  find  it, 
tho*  the  Reafon  does  not  immediately  appear ;  'tis  your 
Part  to  enquire  after  it,  and  to  admire  and  glorify  God  in 
the  Difcovery.  Shew  the  Trunk  of  a  Bee  to  whom  you 
pleafe,  it  may  be  faid,  it  is  but  a  Fly's  Paw ;  to  what  Ufe 
can  it  be  appropriated  ?  And  yet  this  Inftrument  is  fuch, 
that  a  Bee,  with  its  Aflillance,  can  t:olle(n:  more  Honey  in 
one  Day,  than  an  hundred  Chymifts  could  extrad  in  a 
hundred  Years  5  and  the  Wifdom  of  the  Creator^  that  ap- 
pears fo  evidently  in  the  Prefent  he  has  made  of  this  preci- 
ous Inftrument  to  the  Bee,  is  not  lefs  apparent  in  the  Means 
with  which  he  has  furnifhed  her  for  its  Prefervation. 
For  this  Trunk  is  long  and  taper,  as  well  as  pliant  and 
flexible  in  the  utmoli  degree,  that  the  Infe^  may  be  ena- 
bled to  probe  to  the  Bottom  of  Flowers,  through  all  Impe- 
diments of  their  Foliage  and  Chives,  and  drain  them  of 
their  treafured  Sweets.  But  were  this  Trunk  always  ex- 
tended, it  would  prove  incommodious,  and  be  liable  to  be 
Ihatter'd  by  a  thoufand  Accidents :  It  is  therefore  compofed 
of  two  Pieces,  conneifled  by  a  kind  of  Spring  or  Joint,  in 
fuch  a  Manner,  that  after  the  Performance  of  its  neceffary 
Funftions,  it  may  be  contraded,  or  rather  folded  up ;  and, 
befide  this,  it  is  fortified  againfl  all  Injuries,  by  four  llrong 
Scales,  two  of  which  clofely  fheath  it  \  and  the  two  o- 
thers,  whofe  Cavities  and  Dimenfions  are  larger,  encom- 
pafs  the  Whole, 

Count* 


92  D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E    VI. 

Count.  Let  us  now  proceed  to  the  reft  o; 
TheBreai^.  the  Body.  The  middle  Part,  or  Breaft  ofj 
a  Bee,  fuiuins  the  Legs,  which  are  fix  in 
Number,  together  with  four  Wings,  two  greater  and  as 
many  lefs ;  which  ferve  not  gnly  to  tranfport  her  where 
ihe  pleafes,  but  by  the  Noife  they  make,  to  advertife  the 
Bees  of  their  Departure  and  Arrival,  and  likewife  to  ani- 
mate them  mutually  when  they  are  at  work.  Here  is  a 
dead  Bee,  let  us  take  Notice  of  the  Hair  which  covers  her 
whole  Body,  and  alTills  her  to  retain  the  little  Grains  of 
Wax  that  fall  from  the  Top  of  the  Chives  to  the  Bottom  of 
the  Flowers.  In  the  next  Place  obferye,  at  the  Extremity 
of  her  Paws,  two  little  Hooks,  that  the  Mifcrofcope  will 
render  vifible,  and  exhibit  to  you  in  the  Form  of  two 
Sickles  rifingout*  of  the  fame  Handle^  with  their  Points 
oppofite  to  each  other.  Thefe  hooked  Claws,  that  are  fo 
ferviceable  to  the  Bee  in  a  thoufand  Inflances,  are  clapped 
over  two  Balls  of  Sponge,  to  render  her  ordinary  March 
more  eafy  and  agreeable. 

The  Belly  of  this  Jnfe£l  is  diilinguiihed 
The  Belly.       into  fix  Rings,   which  lengthen,  and  like- 
wife  contract  themfelves,  by  Hiding  over  one - 
another.     T'he  Infide  of  this  Region  of  the  Body  confifts 
of  four  Parts,  the  Inteilines,  the  Bag  of  Honey,    tke  Bag,, 
of  Poifon,  and  the  Sting. 

The  Office  of  the  Inteftines  is  to  digeft  the  Food,  in  the  ' 
fame  mariner  this  Fundion  is  performed  in  all  other  Ani- 
mals.    The  Bag  of  Honey  is  as  tranfparent  as  Cryftal,  and 
contains  the  fluid  Sv;eets  extraded   from  Flowers  by  the  ' 
Bee,  a  fmall  Portion  of  which  muft  remain  in  the  Bag  tO' 
nourifh  the  Animal,  but  the  largeft  Quantity  is  difcharge4 
into  the  little  Cells,  of  the  Magazine,  to  fupport  the  whole 
Community  in  Winter!     The  Bag  of  Poifon  or  Gall,  hangs 
at  the  Root  of  the  Sting,  through  the  Cavity  of  which,  as 
thro'  a  Pipe,   the  Bee  ejeds  fome  Drops  of  this  venomous 
Liquor  into  the  Wound,    and  fo  renders  the  Pain   more 
exceffive. 

The  , Sting  is  compofed  of  three  Parts,- 

The  Sting.       the  Sheath  and  two  Darts*.     The  Sheath 

tapers  into  a  very  fine  Point,  near  which  is 


*  Theol,  Phyf,  Derhara, 


an 


Of  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  93 

lOpeping,  calcu'ated  to  give  a  free  Paffage  to  ^heGall. 
lie  two  Dart,  uve  launched  through  another  Aper  ure. 
d'are  p|ant«d  with  fmall  Iharp  Points,  hke  the  Beards  of 
tiuok,  and  which  rifing  a  little  obhauely,  ^  render  the 
.cifion  more  afflidive.  and  create  tnc  Ece  a  gr-^at^  oi  1  rou- 
e  to  draw.  then,  out ;  and  indeed  fli;  never  dm-ng^ges 
em,  if  the  wounded  Party  Lap.^ens  to  flart,  ?nd  put  iier 
toContufion;  but  if  one  car.  tevePa:ience  toc.ntmue  calm 
id  unmoved,  fre  brings  down  rhele  la^ral  Points,  and 
inches  them  round  the  Shaft  ol  tne  Dart;  by  which 
,eans  fhe  recovers  her  Weapon,    and  gives  lefs  1  am  to.  the  ^ 

srfon  ftung.  .      ,         .       ,      ,,  *  ' 

The  Scabbard  is  llkewife  finely  pointed,  afid^makes  the 

rft  Penetration,  which  is  fucceeded  by  the  Injeftion  of  the 

)arts  and  poifonous  Liquor.      This  Scabbard  has  very  vi- 

orous  Mufcles,    which  contribute  to  its  Difengagement 

om  the  Wound ;   but  when  it  has  been  plunged  too  deep, 

leie  Mufcles  are  torn  from  the  Body  of  the  Bee    and  re- 

lain  with  the  Sting.       The  Liquor,    which   Ihe  at  the 

mie  time  infufes  into  the  Wound,  caufes  a  Fermentation, 

ttended  with  a  Swelling,  which  cent  nues  feveral  Days; 

ut  that  may  be  prevented,    by  immediately  drawing  out 

lie  Sting,  and  enlarging  thePuuaure     to  give  Perfp.ration 

3  the  vinomous  Matter.     So  much  for  the  Implements  of 

'^Let  us  now  proceed  to  their  Labours,  and  particularly 
he  Stniaure  of  their  Combs. 

C/je'v.    Permit  me,    my  Lord,    to  afk  the  Pr^,    what 
Method  they  take  to  affemble  all  the  Bees  in  one  Hive 

Prior.    Do  but  imagine   to  yourfelf,    a  Tribe  of  thefe 
Animals  lodged  either  in  the  Hollow  of  a 
free,  the  Cavity  of  a  Rock,   or  in  a  Hive        The  Hive, 
■hey  have  accidentally  found.      There  they 
rin-  ud  their  Young,  and  when  thefe  are  come  to  Matu- 
"y^'^thTyraifeanothf;  Progeny.     The  who  e  Soaetydwel 
ea^ably  together,  as  long  as  -their  Habitation  '^  ff  ^^^  " 
y  fpacious  and  convenient ;    but  when  the  ^  ambers  multi- 
ply to  fuch  a  Degree  as  renders  them  incapabie  of  rearing 
fnew  Generadon,  without  incommoding  themie Ives    then 
the  old  Bees,  in  whom  the  Rights  and  Sovereign  y  oi    hat 
Republick  are  veiled,  publiih  an  Edid    commanamg  ^all  of 
fuch  an  Age  and  under,  to  feek  a  new  Settlement,  and  ev^ 


94  D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E    VI. 

cuate  the  Place  at  a  certain  Time,  threatning  the  Difobe- 
dient  with  the  utmoll  Severity  of  their  Stings.  I  may 
perhaps  be  miflaken  in  the  Style  of  the  Proclamation, 
fmce  I  have  never  feen  it ;  but  in  Reality,  the  Refufal  to 
retire  at  the  Time  prefcribed,  draws  a  bloody  War  on  the 
young  Swarm.  However,  the  Command  is  generally  re- 
ceived with  SubmiiTion;  and  on  fome  certain  Day,  or  ra- 
ther at  the  fame  Inftant,  all  the  young  Nation,  with  their 
Queen  in  the  Van,  abandon  the  Hive,  and  expatiate  through 
the  Country,  in  queft  of  a  new  Habitation.  This  Detach- 
ment  may  be  properly  called  a  real  Colony.  The  old 
Bees  always  continue  in  PofTeffion  of  their  ancient  Habi- 
tation. 

Che^.   Methinks  I  am  likening  to  the  Hiflory  of  the 
Syrians  and  StdonianSy    who    being  flreightened  for   want 
of  room,    and    growing  very  numerous,    difpatched  Co- 
lonies to  Carthage  and  Cadiz.,    as  well  as  many  other  Pla- 
ces.    But  I  interrupt  the  Hiflory  of  the  Bees. 
.    Prior.  When  our  young  Offspring  have  taken  the  Win^, 
they  wander  with  a  buzzing  Flight  thro'  the  Air,  in  fearch 
of  a  commodious  Retreat,   and  fometimes  fix  in  a  Clufter ' 
upon  the  Trunk  of  a  Tree,   and  fometimes  on  a  Branch. 
It  may  be  fuppofed,   that  fome  of  them  are  deputed  to  the 
Office  of  Scouts,    and  when,    in  purfuance  of  their  Com- 
itiiffion,  they  have  found  either  a  fpacious  Cavity  in  a  Wall 
or  the  Hollow  of  an  old  Tree,  or  elfe  a  Hive,  which  the 
Country  People,  who  are  always  vigilant  on  thofe  Occa- 
fions,  prepare  for  their  Accommodation,   after  they  have 
rubbed  It  over  with  Balm,  Thyme,  and  other  odoriferous 
Herbs  ;^  the  Queen,  upon  the  Reprefentation  made  to  her, 
or  m  Confequence  of  her  own  Obfervations,  puts  herfelf  in 
Motion;  upon  which  the  whole  Clufler  difengage  them- 
felves,    and  follow  their  Sovereign,    who  enters  into  the 
Cavity  prefented  to  her,  takes  Poffellion  of  the  Place,  and 
there  fettles  with  all  her  People.     Tis  frequently  the  Cu- 
itom  to  ring  a  little  Bell,  or  tinkle  a  Brafs  Pan,  to  adver- 
nfe  them  that  a  Manfion  is  prepared  for  their  Reception. 
This  Sound  makes  an  Impreffion  upon   them,  and  ccm- 
pofes  their  Diforder :  And  perhaps,  they  millake  it  for  a 
Peal  of  Thunder,  likely  to  be  fucceeded  by  a  dangerous 
Storm.     However,  in  the  very  Inllant  either  of  the  Fear, 
or  Tranquility  tlut  the  Sound  infpires,    they  very  atten* 

tively 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  95 

ely  confider  the  offered  Retreat.  They  are  not  difpleared 
you  oblige  them,  by  fome  gentle  Conilraint,  to  enter 
0  the  Hive  ;  or  perhaps,  their  natural  Inclinations  may 
termine  them  to  chufe  a  Sanduary  there.  When  this  is 
ne,  he  that  prefented  the  Hive  to  them,  removes  it  very 
iderly,  and  they  fuffer  themfelves  to  be  carried  off  with- 
t  any  Refentment.  The  Hive  is  then  placed  upon  a 
md  of  level  Planks,  clofely  riveted  together,  or  upon  a 
It  of  Earth  crufted  over  v^ith  a  Superficies  made  of  the 
ill  of  Bricks,  or  Tiles,  in  order  to  exclude  all  Infe^ls 
d  Exhalations.  A  little  Opening  is  left  at  the  Bottom 
the  Hive,  after  which  they  range  themfelves  in  the 
anner  they  are  well  acquainted  with  j  what  is  afterwards 
nfaded,  falls  more  within  the  Count's  Province  than 
ne. 

Count.  When  the  Labours  of  Bees  are  un-        The  Comb. 
r  our  Examination,  we  may  confider  the 
aterials  they  employ  in  Building,  the  Ufe  to  which  that 
lilding  is  appropriated,    and  the   Manner  wherein  the 
lole  is  tranfaded.     The  Materials  *  are  only  Glew  and 
ax,  which  they  colledl  from  various  Flowers,  the  Build- 
y  is  ufed  as  a  commodious  Habitation  for  thenifelves  and 
eir  Offspring ;  and  as  to  the  Manner  of  ereaing  it,  let 
e  inform  you  of  fome  Inflances  of  their  Sagacity.     I  am 
[acquainted  with  the  Language  fpoken  by  the  Nation  of 
jes,  but  that  they  have  a  Language  which  they  under- 
md,  and  agree  to  ufe  for  the  mutual  Communication  of 
leir  Thoughts,  is  a  Fad  I  take  to  be  undeniable.     When 
ley  begin  to  build  the  Hive,  they  divide  themfelves  into 
ur  Bands ;  one  of  which  is  configned  to  the  Fields,    to 
)llea  Materials  for  the  Strudure :  The  fecond  works  upon 
lefe  Materials,  and  form  them  into  a  rough  Sketch  of 
le  Dimenfions,  and  Partitions  of  the  Cells.     All  this^  is 
olifhed  and  compleated  by  the  third  Band,  who  examine 
ad  adjuft  the  Angles,  remove  the  fuperfluous  Wax,  and 
ive  the  Work  its  neceffary  Perfedion.     The  fourth  Band 
ring  Provifions  to  the  Labourers,  who  cannot  leave  their 
Vorki    but  no    Dillribution    is    made    to   thofe  whofe 
:harge  calls  them  to  the  Fields,  becaufe  it  is  fuppofed  they 
all  hardly  forget  themfdves ;   neither  is  any  Allowance 

*  M.  Maraldi. 

made 


gS 


DIALOGUE  VI. 


made  to  thofe  who  begin  the  ArcHite6lure  of  the  Cells, 
and  indeed  their  Province  ib  very  troub'efoniej  becaufe  they 
are  obliged  to  ievel  and  extend,  as  well  as  cut  and  adjuil 
the  Waxwih  their  J  .vs ;  buf  then  they  loon  obtain  a 
DifmiiTion  from  their  Labour,  and  retire  to  the  Fields  to 
regale  themfelves  with  Food,  and  wear  ofF  their  Fatigue 
with  a  more  agreeable  Employment.  I'hofe  who  fucceed 
them,  draw  their  Mouth,  their  Paws,  and  the  Extremity 
of  their  Body,  feveral  Times  over  all  the  Work,  and  never 
defill  till  the  whole  is  polifhed  and  completed ;  and  as 
they  frequently  need  Refrefhments,  and  yet  are  not  per- 
mitted to  retire,  there  are  V/2 iters  always  attending,  who 
ferve  them  with  Provifions  when  they  require  them. 

Che'v.  Have  you  feen  this,  my  Lord  ? 

Count.  Very  perfed.ly.  They  exprefs  their  Meaning 
by  Signs.  The  Labourer  who  has  an  Appetite,  bends 
down  his  Trunk  before  the  Caterer,  to  intimate  that  he 
has  an  Inclination  to  eat ;  upon  which  the  other  opens  his 
Bag  of  Honey,  and  pours  out  a  few  Drops,  which  I  have 
diftinftly  feen  rolling  thro'  the  whole  Length  of  his  Trunk, 
that  grew  fenfibly  fwelled  in  every  Part  thro'  which  the 
Liquor  flowed.  When  this  little  Repafl  is  over,  the  La- 
bourer returns  to  his  Work,  and  his  Body  and  Paws  repeat 
the  fame  Motion  as  before. 

Che^v.  Is  it  very  long  before  the  Work   is  compleated  ? 

Count.  Tho'  the  Elegance  and  Proportions  of  it  are  ad- 
mirable, yet  the  Builders  are  fo  indefatigable*,  that  a 
Honey-Comb  compofed  of  a  double  P^ange  of  Cells, 
backed  one  againll  another,  and  which  is  a  Foot  long, 
and  fix  Inches  broad,  is  finifhed  in  one  Day,  fo  as  to  be 
capable  of  receiving  three  Thoufand  Bees. 

Befide  this,  the  'Symm.etry  of  thefe  Combs  is  abundantly 
m.ore  compleat  than  that  of  a  Wafp's  Nefl ;  for  the  Cells 
not  only  terminate  at  the  Bottom  in  a  Point,  accommxO- 
dated  to  receive  the  little  Egg,  and  concenter  the  Warmth 
which  it  would  not  enjoy  in  the  fame  Degree,  were  it  de- 
pofited  on  a  Flat ;  but  they  are  likewife  compofed  of  lit- 
tle triangular  Pannels,  that  regularly  unite  in  a  Point, 
and  ex  aft  I  y  correfpond  with  the  like  Extremities  of  the 
oppolite  Cell.     Break  a  few  of  thefe   little  Apartments, 

*  M.    Maralii. 

and 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  97 

ind  you  will  £nd  the  Faft  to  be  as  I  have  defcribed. 
fake  Notice  alfo,  that  they  fhape  and  difpofe  their 
I^ombs  in  a  very  different  Manner  from  the  V/afpsj  for 
vhereas  thefe  Infeds  build  but  one  Range  of  Cells,  and 
)lace  them  horizontally  over  one  another,  the  Bees  make 
heir  Cells  double,  or  compofed  of  two  Ranks  of  Apart- 
nents,  the  Extremities  of  which  touch  each  other,  and 
re  perpendicularly  fufpended  with  an  Interval  between 
ach  two,  that  affords  the  Bees  a  Paffage  fufficiently  fpa- 
:iou?,  and,  at  the  fame  Time,  contracled  enough  to  pro- 
note  all  the  Warmth  they  can  poffibly  need. 

Che^.  But,  my  Lord,  I  find  at  the  Entrance  into  all  the 
.odges  a  kind  of  Ledge,  which  makes  the  opening  at  the 
)oor  narrower  than  the  Dimenfions  within  -,  whereas  the 
'affage  into  the  Wafp's  Cell  is  as  wide  as  the  Apartment 

Cowtt,  This  is  another  wife  Precaution  ;  for  as  the  Bees 
ive  feven  or  eight  Years,  and  more,  and  the  Vv^afps  fel- 
om  furvive  one,  in  which  Circumllance  the  Condud  of 
Vovidence  is  very  remarkable,  and  calls  for  our  Gratitude; 
Key  fortify  the  Aperture  of  their  Cells  with  this  Ledge^ 
/hich,  being  joined  to  that  of  the  neighbouring  Cells* 
lakes  the  whole  very  difficult  to  be  fnattered,  fo  that  the 
Vork  continues  feveral  Years  uninjured,  not  with  Handing 
be  Shocks  occafioned  by  \.\it  frequent  Ingrefs  and  Returns, 
s  well  as  the  repeated  Efforts  of  the  Mothers  who  come 
lere  to  lay  their  Eggs,  and  notwitilanding  ih(^  Motions  of 
le  Labourers,  who  there  depofit  their  Wax  and  Honey, 
nd  the  Struggles  of  the  Nymphs,  who,  when  they  be- 
Dme  Bees,  make  vigorous  Endeavours  to  difengage  t'hem- 
Ives  from  their  Coniinement. 

Prior,  Thefe  Habitations,  Chevalier,  differ  very  m.uch 
om  ours,  which  always  decay  with  Time,  whereas  they 
row  ilronger  by  Duration,  at  leafl  to  a  certain  Period. 

Che^,  How  can  that  be  ? 

Prior.  The  Foundations  of  our  Houfes  fmk  v/ith  the 
arth  they  are  built  on,  the  Walls  begin  to  Hoop  hy 
)egrees,  they  nod  with  Age,  and  bend  from  their  Pe.i 
sndicular;  Lodgers  damage  every  thing,  and  Time  is 
)ntmually  introducing  feme  new  Decay.  On  the  con« 
^ry,  the  Manfions  of  Bees  grow  Ilronger,  the  oftener 
ey  change  their  Lihabitants.    Every  Worm,    before  its 

^  Ccnver- 


^8  DIALOGUE   VI. 

Converfion  into  a  Nymph,  fallens  its  Skin  to  the  Partitions,  t 
of  its  Cell,  but  in  fuch  a  Manner  as  to  make  it  correfpond  i  j 
\v-th  the  Lines  of  the  Angles,  and  without  the  leaft  Preju- 
dice to  the  Regularity.  In  one  Summer  the  fame  Lodgmg 
may  ferve  three  or  four  Wor^s  fucceffively,  and  when 
that  Seafon  returns,  it  can  again  a£commodate  the  fame 
Number.  Each  Worm  never  fails  to  fortify  the  Pannels 
of  his  Chamber,  by  arraying  them  with  his  Spoils ;  and  li 
the  next  Apartment  likewife  receives  the  fame  Augmenta-  | 
tion  I  have  fometimes  found  feven  or  eight  of  thefelk 
Skins  fpread  over  one  another,  fo  that  all  the  Cells  being  j  I 
incrufted  with  fix  or  feyen  of  thefe  Coverings,  well  dried  !! 
and  cemented  with  a  ftrong  Glew,  the  whole  Fabric  daily  \ 
acquires  a  new  Degree  of  Solidity.         _  r     r  '" 

Chev.  But  I  find  an  Inconvenience  in   this,  Sir ;  tor  io  | 
many  Skins  may  happen  to  be  glewed  over  one  another,  as  ' 
to  render  the  Apartment  too  contraaed  in  its  Dimenfions. 

Prior.  The  DifSculty  you  ftart  is  very  reafonable,   and 
I  muft  refer  you  to  the  Couni  for  a  fatisfaftory  Anfwer. 

Cemt.  Can  yov   guefs  how  the    Bees  proceed   m  this 
Cafe?  They  alter  the  Property  of  thefe  Cells,  and  lodge 
their  Young  where  they  formerly  ftored  their  Honey,  and 
at    the   fame  Time   depofit    their   Honey    where    they 
cnce  lodged  their  Young;  at  leaft  this  is  the  Opmion   of 
fome  Obfervers.  tho'  I  ftall  not   undertake  to  warrant  it. 
As  to  the  reft,    you  find  the  Bees  are  Ikilful  enough  m 
their  Works,  to  induce  you  to  believe  they  know  when  it 
is  proper  to  clear  away  Superfluities;  and  it  muft  be  con- 
feffed.  that  at  the   End  of  fix  or  feven  Years,    the  Cells 
become  too  contraded,  and  all  the  Work  grows  rumous, 
You  have  feen,  my  dear  Che-valier,  their  Expertnefs  in  Ar- 
chiteaure.     We    muft  now   give   you  fome  Infight  into 
tlieir  Oeconomy.    and   dircft  your  Obfervation  to  what 
paffes  in  the  Magazines  of  Wax  and  Honey  :    Their  Stru- 
dure  and  Ufe  will  be  equally  entertammg  to  you.     Ihey 
have  firft  of  all.  the  Precaution  to—-  <•  ^  „^  ., 

Che-v.  Ah !  my  Lord,  all  is  at  an  End :  T  fee  five  or  fix 
Fox-Hunters,  who  are  now  alighting  in  the  Court,  and  the 
Servants  are  going  to  take  their  Horfcs  into  the  Stable 

Counters.  We  need  not  break  up  m  a  Hurry,  thofe 
Gentlemen  muft  have  their  Boots  taken  off.  .^nd  No- 
ticc  will  be  given  us  when  to  wait  on  them.    The  I  >ior 


Or'  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  99 

;  {hewn  us  the  Comb,  and  its  Contents ;  but  has  not 
en  us  a  Sight  of  what  is  wrapped  up  in  that  Paper. 
Prior.  You  know,  Che-valiery  the  Cells  where  the  Young 
lodged  ;  you  likewife  have  feen  thofe  which  contained 
Wax ;  and  I  have  here,  in  a  Sheet  of  white  Paper, 
*iece  of  the  Honey-Comb. 

"^he^v.  Muft  not  foniething  be  done  to  the  Honey, 
3re  it  can  be  fit  to  eat  ? 

^rior.  No,  Sir,  it  is  here  in  all  its  Purity,  and  infinitely 
:er  than  when  it  has  been  degenerated  by  the  Hands  of 
:n ;  pray  venture  to  taile  a  little,  only  throw  the 
IX  away. 

'^^hev.  I  never  tailed  any  thing  more  delicate,  and  am 
longer  furprifed  that  the  Authors  I  have  read,  always 
ition  Honey,  when  they  would  acquaint  us  with  fome- 
ig  agreeable, 

'^rior.  Honey  was  the  Sugar  of  the  Ancients ;    but  we 
ke  very  little  Ufe  of  it   now,  fmce  we  have  had  oux 
:iern  Sugar  from  the  Eaji^  and  Weft-Indies, 
"lountefs.  In  my  Opinion,  Che^valier,  you   have  pretty 
ch  of  the  ancient  Palate. 

Vye'v  Madam,  1  never  knew  till  this  Day,  what  a 
ney-Comb  was. 

^^ountefs.  Be  wife  then  in  Time.  You  fee  the  Prior  is 
ays  the  fame,  and  gives  a  perpetual  Relifh  to  every 
Lg  he  does  When  he  takes  his  Leave  of  us,  he  will 
md  catechife  in  fome  little  Hut,  where,  inllead  of 
ley,  he  will  not  fail  to  diftribute  his  Alms. 
Wior.  I  am  very  glad  my  Behaviour  pleafes  your  Lady- 
i  I  fhall  always  continue  to  give  Inll:ru6lioa,  and  even 
:  With  as  much  Honey  as  will  be  acceptable.  But 
irity  is  your  Ladyfhip's  Province,  and  I  am  only  your 
loner. 

^>ount.  Thefe  little  Animals,  whom  we  behold  fo  fo- 
•le  in  their  Community,  are  induitrious  to  affiH  each 
T,  and  prevent  their  mutual  Neceifities  with  a  fur- 
mg  Generofity  ;  and  ihall  we  leave  our  Fellow-Crea- 
s  in  Diitrefs !  On  the  contrary,  1  am  convinced,  that 
fineft  of  all  Pleafures  confiits  in  preferving  Perfons  from 
amity,  and  it  is  a  Pleafure  capable  of  increafing  in 
portion  to  our  Ability  to  give.  But  let  us  wait  on  the 
npany, 

F  ^  B  E  E  s 


100 


DIALOGUE    VII 


BEES. 


lE 


D  I    A    L    O   Q   U    E        VII. 

<The  Count,  and  Countess. 
The  Prior,  and 
"The  Chevalier, 

a.'V.r^Entlemen,   I  defire  you  to  remember  we  arJ 

V I   this  Day  to  vifit  the  two  great  Manufaaurq 

of  Wax  and  Honey.     The  ?«Vr  has  taken  a  particular 

View  of  both,  and  I  fliould  be  glad  to  know  firft  of  all 

what  this  Wax  is.  r       j  •  j-«.,».,» 

Prior  The  Bees  have  to  Sorts,  one  grofs  and  mditterei^^ 
the  other  much  finer*.  The  firll  is  blackilh,  and  prett, 
much  refembles  Glew,  or  a  very  thick  Pitcn.  Jlie  othe 
Kind  of  Wax  is  a  natural  Fat,  or  a  vegetable  Oil,  finelj 
fcented,  and  thick.  This  the  Bees  find  around  thefe  innu 
iner;'ble  little  Grains  that  are  vifible  on  the  Cnives  whicl 
rife  from  the  Bottom  of  Flowers,  and  is  a  Compofition  o 
bitterjuices  they  extraa  from  certain  Plants,  Straw,  rotten 
Wood,  and  impaired,  or  acid  Liquors. 

Chs'v:  Wherein  is  this  Glew  ufeful  ?  ^       ,     „• 

Prior  I'll  inform  you.  When  they  have  found  a  Hive 
or  fome  other  commodious  Habitation,  their  firft  Employ 
mentis,  to  clofe  up  very  exadly,  with  this  Glew  all  th. 
Fiflures  and  Crannies,  and  ftrengthen  the  weak  Places,  ft 
that  the  Winds  can  have  no  Admiffion  ;  and  the  Inlects 
who   would  otherwife  make  Depredations  on  the  Clew 

«Maraldi,  ibid. 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  lor 

;  prevented  by  their  infapportable  Aveifion  to  the  bitter 

avour. 

Count.  Upon    this  Occafion   I  will  relate  an    Event  I 

[leld  myfelf.     A  few  Days  iince,    a  Snail   took   it  into 

Head  to  Heal  into  the  Glafs  Hive  in  my  Window, 
lere  was  no  Entrance  to  pafs  through  but  the  proper  one, 
d  in  the  Animal  went.  The  Porters  received  him  very 
dely  at  the  Gate ;  and  the  firil  Attacks  they  made  upon 
Ti  with  their  Stings,  obliged  him  to  march  with  more 
:pedition  ;  but  the  flupid  Creature,  infiead  of  retreating, 
Dught  to  fave  himfelf  by  going  forwards,  and  he  ad- 
nced  into  the  very  Middle  of  the  Hive  ;  upon  which  a 
lole  Troop  of  Bees  failened  upon  him  at  once,  and  he 
mediately  expired  under  their  Strokes.  The  Conquerors 
;re  then  in  no  little  Perplexity  how  to  get  rid  of  the  Car- 
{s,  and  a  Council  was  inflantly  held  upon  that  Occafion. 
Che-v.  And  your  Lordfhip,    v/ithout  doubt,    underdood 

their  Debates. 

Count.  From  fir^  to  lall,  the  moil  experienc'd  Sages 
long  tiiem  reafoned  in  this  Manner :  To  drag  the  Car- 
fs  out  by  main  Strength,  is  an  Impoffibility  ;  the  Mafs 
by  much  to  unwieldy,  and  befide,  the  Body  is  fixed 
the  Floor  of  the  Hive  hy  its  own  Glew;  and  to  leave 
Vv^here  it  lyes,  would  be  ^txy  inconvenient,  becaufe  it 
)uld  prove  an  alluring  Regale  to  the  common  Flies,  and 
the  fame  Time  be  liable  to  Corruption  and  Worms ;  and 
efe  Worms,  when  they  hav-e  devoured  the  Snail,  will 
fallibly  afcend  to  the  Comb,  and  attack  the  young 
jes.  The  Damage  was  evident,  and  required  an  imme- 
ate  Remedy  ;  but  you  will  hardly  gaefs  the  Dexterity 
ith  which  they  accomplifhed  it.  Che^oalier,  I  fhould  bs 
ad  to  know  your  Sentiments  on  the  Affair.  Hov/  were 
.ey  to  condudi  themfelves  on  this  Occalion  ? 

Ch&v.  So  quick  upon  me,  my  Lord  ?  You  are  really 
ixy  fevere,  to  put  the  Queftion  to  me ;  for  it  will  appear 
lat  the  Bees  had  more  Prefence  of  Mind  than  myfelf. 
ut,   pray,  how  did  they  proceed  ? 

Count.  They  incrufced  the  whole  Snail  with  Glew,  and 
^mented  it  fo  clofe,  that  all  the  external  Air  was  excluded; 
ad  as  no  Infed  could  have  Accefs,  to  depofit  her  Eggs 
I  the  Carcafs,  fo,  when  this  ihould  be  reduced  to  Cor- 

F  3  ruption. 


102       DIALOGUE     VII. 

ruption,  no  malignant  Steams  would  tranfpir^  through  tJiej  | 
Inclofure. 

Che^K  Will  your  Lordftiip  let  me  fee  the  poor  Snail's 

Tomb? 

Count,  You  fhall  have  a  Sight  of  it  To-day^.  It  wants 
nothing  but  an  Epitaph. 

Che^,  When   the   lr\{\^c  of  the  Hive, is   well  pitched,, 
and  the  Bees  under  fhelter,  how  are  the  Cells  difpofed  ? 

Prior.  The  Foundation  of   the   Building  is  faftened  to 
the  Top  of  the  Hive  ;  there  they  lay  a  Bed  of  Glew,    to  \ 
which  they   fix  the  firil  Cells  of  the  Comb,    which  they 
continue  downwards,    and  enlarge  them  till  they  have  nOj 
more  room  left.     The  Comb  is  divided  into  three  Cantons ; 
one,  where  they  rear  their  Young;  another,    where  they 
llore  their  Wax  for  their  future  Occafions ;  and  the  third, 
where  they  preferve  their  Honey  for  the  Winter. 

f  have  nothing  particular  to  acquaint  you  with  about 
their  Young,  the  Circumflances  are  pretty  near  the  fame 
as  they  are  with  the  Wafps.  When  the  Worm  has  left 
the  Egg,  the  Mother  conllantly  fupplies  it  with  Honey  5 
and  at  the  Expiration  of  ten,  or  twelve  Days,  when  it 
has  had  its  Fill,  an  old  Bee  comes  and  clofes  up  the  the 
Cell  with  Wax.  The  V7orm  in  its  Retirement  changes 
into  a  Nymph,  and  the  Nymph  becomes  a  Bee;  and 
after  fifteen  Days  repofe,  the  young  Bee  pierces  through 
the  waxen  Door,  and,  when  ilie  has  dried  her  Wings,  fl  es 
among  the  Flowers,  Heals  their  Sweets,  and  is  perfedly 
acquainted  with  t'^try  necelTary  Circumftance  of  her  future 
Condua. 

-As  to  theStruflure  of  the  Wax,  the  Count\  Obfervations 
have  been  more  accurate  than  mine. 

Count.  1  confefs  it  is  a  Particular  that 
The  Wax.  has  very  much  amufed  me.    TheWax  is  a 

Provlfion  altogether  as  neceflary  for  tht  m,  • 
in  one  Senfe,  as  the  Honey  itfelf ;  they  build  their  Apart-' 
ments  v/ith  it,  and  it  clofes  the  Cells  of  the  Nymphs,  as 
well  as  thofe  where  the  Honey  is  treafured.  When  any 
Accidents  happen,  any  Fradures  open,  or  when-ever  the 
Species  grow  too  numerous,  they  recur  to  the  Wax,  and 
therefore  are  always  careful  to  provide  a  fufficient  Quan- 
tity in  good  Time.  They  fearch  for  it  upon  all  Sorts  of 
I'ree^  and  Plants,  but  efpecially  the  Rocket,  the  fmgle 

Poppy, 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  103 

oppy,  atid  generally  all  Kinds  of  Flowers.  They  amais 
:  with  their  Hair,  with  which  their  whole  Body  is  in- 
efted.  *ris  fomething  pleafant  to  fee  them  roll  in  the 
ellow  Duil  that  falls  from  the  Chives  to  the  Bottom  of 
le  Flowers,  and  then  return  covered  with  the  fame 
rrains ;  but  their  bell:  Method  of  gathering  the  Wax, 
fpecially  when  it  is  not  very  plentiful,  is  to  carry  awaj^ 
II  the  little  Particles  of  it  with  their  Jaws  and  Fore-feet, 
>  prefs  and  work  them  up  into  little  Pellets,  and  Aide 
lem,  one  at  a  Time,  with  their  middle  Feet,  into  a 
ocket  or  Cavity,  that  opens  at  their  hinder  Feet.  This 
)avity  is  made  to  receive  the  Wax,  like  a  Spoon,  and  the 
lair  which  covers  their  Feet,  ferves  to  keep  the  Burden 
xed,  and  fleddy,  till  they  return  home.  They  are  iome- 
mes  e.xpofed  to  Inconveniencies  in  this  Work,  by  the 
lotion  of  the  Air",  and  the  delicate  Texcure  of  the  Flow- 
r-s  that  bend  under  their  Feet,  and  hinder  them  from 
acking  up  their  Booty  ;  on  which  Occafions  they  fix 
lemfelves  en  fome  fleddy  Place,  where  they  prefs  the 
V-dx  into  a  Mafs,  and  wind  it  round  their  Leg?,  making 
equent  Returns  to  the  Flov/ers  5  and  when  they  have 
ccked  themfelves  with  a  fufEcient  Quantity,  they  immedi  • 
tely  repair  to  their  Habitation.  Two  Men^,  in  the  Com- 
afs  of  a  whole  Day,  could  not  amafs  fb  much  as  two 
ttle  Bvalls  of  Wax,  and  yet  they  are  no  more  than  the 
ommon  Burden  of  a  fmgle  Bee,  and  the  Produce  of  one 
curney.  Thofe  who  are  employed  in  collcdlng  the 
^ax  from  Flowers,  are  aMed  by  their  Cornpanionr, 
'ho  attend  them  at  the  Door  of  the  Hive,  eafe  them  ci 
leir  Load  at  their  Arrival,  brufh  their  Feet,  and  fnake  out 
be  two  Balls  of  Wax;  upon  which  the  others  return  t(5 
be  Fields  to  gather  new  Treafure?,  whilft  thofe  v/ho  dii- 
urden'd  thwn,  convey  their  Charge  to  the  Magazine, 
lowtver,  I  have  i'een  fome  Bees,  who,  when  tlity  have 
rought  their  Load  home,  have  carried  it  themfelves  to  a 
^odge,  and  there  delivered  it,  laying  hold  of  one  End 
/ith  their  hinder  Feet,  and  with  their  middle  Feet  flid- 
;ig  it  out  of  the  Cavity  that  contained  it ;  but  this  was 
vidently  a  Work  of  Supererogation,  which  they  were  not 
bliged  to  perform.  The  Packets  of  Wax  continue  a  few 
^'loments  in  the  Lodge,  till  a  Set  of  Officers  come,  who 
re  charged  with  a  third  Commiffion,  which  is  to  knead 

F   4  this 


104        DIALOGUE   VII. 

Wax  with  their  Feet,  and  fpread  it  out  into  different 
S  eets  laid  one  upon  another.  This  is  the  unwrought  I 
Wax,  which  is  eafily  dillinguillied  to  be  the  Produce  of  i 
djiTerent  Flowers,  by  the  Variety  of  Colours  that  appear  in 
each  Sheet.  When  they  afterwards  come  to  work  it, 
they  knead  it  over  again  ;  they  purify,  and  whiten  it,  and 
t'len  reduce  it  to  an  uniform  Colour.  They  ufe  this  Wax 
with  a  wonderful  Frugality,  for  it  is  eafy  to  obferve,  that 
the  whole  Family  is  conducled  by  Prudence,  and  all 
their  Actions  regulated  by  good  Government.  Every  thing 
is  granted  to  Neceffity,  but  nothing  to  Superfluity  ;  not 
the  leail  Grain  of  Wax  is  negleded,  and  if  they  wafle 
it,  they  are  frequently  obliged  to  provide  m.ore,  at  thofe 
very  Innes  when  they  want  to  get  their  Frovifion  of 
Honey.  When  they  open  the  Cells  of  Honey,  they-take 
ir?i  the  Wax  that  clofed  -them,  and  carry  it  to  the  Maga- 
zine. You  may  likewife  judge  of  their  Oeconomy  by 
.-mother  Inilance:  When  a  young  Bee  frees  itfelf  from 
its  Prifon,  by  breaking  down  the  Partition  of  Wax  that 
Ihut  it  up,  two  old  Bees  immediately  prefent  themfelves, 
and  carry  away  all  the  Remains  of  this  waxen  Partition  ; 
after  which  they  immediately  repair  the  Ledge  of  the 
Cell,  and  bear  all  the  Wax  that  is  left  to  the  Repofitory. 
Thus,  you  fee,  nothing  is  ioil. 

Conntefs.  But  is  not  this  Oeconomy,  my  Lord,  much 
of  a  Piece  with  your  Account  of  the  Deliberations  about 
t\\^  Snail  ?  I  am  afraid  all  the  Ingenuity  I  admire  in  thefe 
Proceedings,  flows  only  from  you. 

Count,  I  have  fometimes,  in  a  Vein  of  Pleafantry,  fup- 
plied  them  with  fuch  kind  of  Reafonings ;  but,  in  Re- 
ality, the  fame  Wifdom  that  created  thefe  Animals,  has 
enabled  them,  for  their  Prefervation,  to  ad  as  confidently 
as  if  they  were  influenc'd  by  Reafon  itfelf :  And  as  to  the 
Frugality  I  have  been  defcribing,  'tis  what  you  yourfelf 
may  be  a  Spectator  of  when-ever  you  pleafe. 

Che^,  Then  as  to  the  Honey,  my  Lord  ;  will  you 
be  fo  good  as  to  tell  me  what  it  is,  and  how  they  col- 
led it  ? 

Cou7it.  The  Ancients  believed  Honey  to  be  an  Emana- 
tion of  Air,  a  Dew  that  defcended  upon  the  Flowers,  as  if 
it  had  a  limited  CommiiTion  to  fall  only  there.  But  it 
has  been  fince  difcovered  that  Dews  and  Rains  are  very 

oppofue 


N 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  TS.  105 

ppofite  to  Honey  in  their  Qualities;  they  waih  it  away> 
id  prevent  the  Bees  from  finding  it.  Honey  is  rather  an 
iflux,  or  Tranfpiration  of  the  fineii:  Particles  of  the  Sap  in 
[ants,  which  evacuate  through  the  Pores,  and  afterwards 
)ndenre  on  the  Flowers ;  and  as  thefe  Fores  are  more  ex- 
mded  in  the  warm  Sun-fliine  than  at  any  other  Time,  fo 
)u  never  fee  the  Flowers  more  repleniflied  with  a  vifcous 
id  vermilion  Juice,  nor  the  Bees  more  tranfported  with 
rdour  and  Joy,  than  when  the  Sun  difpenfes  his  brightefl 
ays.  I  likewife  take  it  for  granted,  that  the  Seafon  has 
•oved  favourable,  becaufe  exceilive  Rains  either  waih  away 
e  bell  Salts  from  the  Soil,  or  injurioully  dilute  its  pureil 
lices ;  as  on  the  other  hand,  the  immoderate  Length  of  a 
y  Seafon  prevents  thofe  Juices  from  flowing  into  the 
ant. 

Che'v.  Since  we  know  what  Honey  is,  I  fhould  think  we 
ight  go  ourfelves,  and  extrad  it  from  the  Flowers. 
Count,  Yes ;  without  doubt  the  Thing  is  pradicable, 
Dii  only  want  an  Inllrument,  for  that  Furpofe.  Go  to 
Drk,  my  dear  Chevalier ^  and  make  a  Trunk  :  you  re- 
ember  1  fhewed  you  a  couple  Yefterday. 
Che'v,  I  deferve  to  be  rallied  for  my  wife  Obfervation  : 
fhould  rather  indeed  have  afked  your  Lordfhip,  whether 
e  Bees  content  themfelves  with  fucking  the  Honey  from 
e  Flowers,  and  conveying  it  home ;  or  is  it  your  Opinion, 
at  the  Juices  of  the  Flowers  are  converted  into  Honey  by 
e  Labours  of  the  Bees } 

Prior.  For  my  Part,  I  am  apt  to  think  the  Bee  makes 
Alteration  in  the  Honey,    but  collecb  this  delicious  Sy- 
p  as  Nature  produces  it;  and  flril  fills  her  Bag,  and  tlien 
charges  it  into  the  Magazine. 

Cciint.  I  am  of  your  Opinion  in  that  Particular,  and 
uld  never  obferve  they  were  able  to  condenfe  the  Honey, 
len  it  was  too  liquid,  as  F/>o^//afiirms.  Perhaps  it  may 
true,  that  v/hen  they  receive  it  into  their  Body,  they 
rify,  and  give  it  fome  Confiilence.  But  all  I  have  re- 
arked  on  the  x^rticle  Honey  amounts  to  no  more  than 
is :  They  fuck  it  up  with  their  Trunk,  and  empty  it 
to  the  Cells  appropriated  to  receive  it;  and  when  they 
z  all  full,  the  Bees  ciofe  up  fome  with  Wax,  'till  they 
ve  Occafion  for  the  Honey  \  the  reil  they  leave^pen^  and 

F  5  /  .       >  all 


io6        DIALOGUE    VII. 

all  the  Members  of  the  Society  refort  there,  and  take  their 
Repall  with  a  very  edifying  Moderation. 

Chev,  The  Bees  certainly  ad  with  more  Regularity  than 
ourfelves. 

Prior.  The  Hive  is  a  School  to  which  Numbers  of  Peo- 
ple ought  to  be  fent ;  Prudence,  Indullry,  and  Benevolence, 
Pablick-ffi:itednefs  and  Diligence,  Oeconomy,  Neatnef?, 
and  Temperance,  are  all  vifible  among  the  Bees :  Or,  ra- 
ther, let  us  fay,  thev  read  us  Letlures  upon  them. 

Count.    What  moft  afFeds  me,    in  thefe  little  Animals, 
is  to  fee  them  aduated  by  that  focial  Spirit  which  forms 
them  into  a  Body  Politic,    intimately  united,    and  perfedly 
happy.     Look  on  a  Swarm  of  Bees,    and  obferve  the  Dif- 
pofition  that  irfluences  every  Individual.     They  all  labour 
jfor  the  general  Advantage;    they  are  all  fubmifTive  to  the 
Laws  and  Regulation  of   the  Community ;    no  particular 
Intereft,  no  Diftindion  but  thofe  which  Nature,  or  the  Ne- 
ceffities  of  their  Young  have  have  introduced  among  them. 
We  never  fee  them  diffatisfied  with  their  Condition,  or  in- 
clinable to  abandon  the  Hive  in  Difguft,  to  find  themfelves 
Slaves  or  neceffitous.     On  the  contrary,    they  think  them- 
felves in  perfea  Freedom,  and  pcrfed  AfHuence,  and  fuch 
indeed  is  their  real  Condition :  They  are  free,  becaufe  they 
only  depend  on  the  Laws ;    they  are  happy,  becaufe  the 
Concourfe  of  their  feveral  Labours  inevitably  produces  an 
Abundance  that  conflitutes  the  Riches  of  each  Individual. 
Let  us  compare  human  Societies  with  this,  and  they  wilt  ap- 
pear altogether  monflrous.    Neceffity,  Reafon,  ard  Philofc- 
phy  have  eilablifhed  them  under  the  comm endable  Pretence  i 
of  mutual  Aids  and  Benefits ;    but  a  Spirit  of  Selfilhnefs  de- 
ilroys  all ;  and  one  half  of  Mankind,  lo  load  themfelves  with 
Superfluities,  leave  the  other  deHitute  of  common  NeceiTaries. 
Prior.  As  long  as  Men  are  not  condu<^ed  by  the  Spirit 
of  God,    they  are  certainly  the  moft  unjuft  and  corrupt  of 
all  Animals. 

Count.  I  cannot  exprefs  my  Indignation,  when  I  fee  toi 
what  Proflitutions  our  Species  degrade  themfelve?,  efpecially 
when  they  are  poffejffed  with  the  Fury  of  Ambition,  and 
determined  to  live  at  Eafe;  without  giving  themfelves  the 
leaft  Pain,  to  fee  their  Fellow- Creatures  barely  pofTeffed  of 
Food  and  Raiment.  But  let  us  clofe  this  difagreeabic 
Scene,  and  though  we  find  our  Manners  condemned  by  the 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S,  107 

Vadice  of  thefe  little  Animals,  who  afTociate  with  fo  much 
rranquillity  Jlnd  Union,  yet  let  us  go  on  to  make  them  the 
)ubjed  of  our  Examinations ;  *tis  an  Article  that  infinite]/ 
lelights  me.  I  have  kQn  at  the  Prior's  Houfe,  a  Glais 
live,  wherein,  as  he  has  told  me  more  than  once,  he  has 
ladaSwarm  of  wild  Bees.  Pray,  Sir,  favour  us  with  fome 
\ccount  of  them. 

Prior,  As  I  knew  your  Lordfliip  had 
nade  many  Obfervations  on  the  com.mon  Wild  Bees. 
)Ort  of  Bees,  I  thought  it  would  be  better 
or  me  to  beftow  fome  Notice  on  thofe  who  are  Wild,  in 
)rder  to  obferve  the  Difference.  Thefe  Creatures,  that  fe- 
deral People  call  Drones  and  Hornets,  are  nothing  near  fo 
nduftrious  and  frugal  as  the  domeHick  Bees.  They  are 
nore  negligent  in  their  Settlements,  and  their  Work  is  in 
:very  Particular  inferior  to  that  of  the  others ;  but  for  all 
his,  it  has  its  Beauty.  The  Neil  is  compofed  of  dried 
Leaves  mixed  with  Wax.  This  Neft,  which  they  ufually 
5uild  in  fome  Cavity  dug  in  the  Earth  by  a  Field  Moufe, 
s  well  vaulted,  to  preferve  it  from  Rains  and  the  falling  in 
)f  the  Earth.  They  worked  in  the  fame  Manner  when 
hey  were  in  the  Hive,  as  they  would  have  done  in  the 
^'ield.  The  Principles  of  their  Architecture  are  invariable, 
rhe  Nell  is  all  perforated  with  d.fferent  Holes,  like  a 
>ponge,  fo  that  one  may  eafily  fee  all  that  paffes  within. 
Each  Hornet  builds  with  the  Wax,  a  little  Ceil,  about  the 
M2e  cf  a  large  Pea,  cut  through  the  Middle,  and  round 
md  hcllcw  like  half  an  Egg  Shell.  From  thefe  different 
Cells  joined  together,  reiults  a  fort  of  Clufter  very  agree- 
ible  to  the  E;  e.  The  Females,  wbof^  Number  among 
:he  Bees  and  Wafps  appears  to  be  \'2ry  inconficttrable,  lay 
:heir  Eggs  in  the  openCelL;  when  this  is  done,  fome 
3ther  Bees  clofe  them  up  with  Wax;  after  which  they 
(land  upon  the  Covering,  and  are  in  a  perpetual  Agitation, 
either  to  give  Warmth  to  the  Eggs,  or  at  leail  to  repel  tiie 
Cold  from  them.  \Vhen  the  Worms  leave  the  Fgg3,  they 
endeavour  to  break  down  the  Door  of  their  Lodge? 
The  Bees  without,  affiil  them  in  rubbing  the  Wax,  and 
making  it  fofc,  and  then  conges  a  large  Bee,  who  de- 
vours all  the  waxen  Covering. 

Cl'e^v.  What,  does  he  live  upon  the  Wax  ? 
Prior,  No,  Sir:  but  he  melts  it  in  his  Scomach,  which 

F  6  IS 


io8        DIALOGUE    VII. 

is  very  hot,  and  then  employs  it  elfewhere  in  fome  other 
Work.  The  Worms  who  are  hatched  fall  into  Convulfi- 
ons,  which  moiRen  them  all  over  with  Sweat ;  and  what 
then  tranfpires  through  their  Body,  forms  a  Glew  that 
gradually  hardens,  and  becomes  a  little  white  Skin,  which 
immediately  enfolds  them.  This  is  their  State  of  Nymphs, 
and  they  then  look  like  fo  many  Grains  faften'd  to  one 
another,  and  which,  all  together,  form  a  little  CluHer. 
After  this,  out  of  each  Nymph's  Shell  proceeds  a  little 
Bee,  who  begins  to  rub  his  Eyes  with  his  fore  Paws. 
His  Wings,  that  are  flill  fpread  on  his  Back,  and  moill", 
grow  dry  in  the  Air  by  degrees ;  and  in  the  Space  of  a 
Quarter  of  an  Hour,  he  fprings  aloft,  and  immediately 
attl;mpts  to  fly  at  a  Venture  with  thofe  of  his  own  Age ; 
the  young  ones  are,  for  fome  time,  permitted  to  fport  as 
they  pleafe,  and  all  the  little  Bees  do  nothing,  for  the 
three  firfl  Days,  but  flutter  up  and  down,  and  interrupt 
the  Work  of  the  larger  Infedls,  who  at  length  begin  to 
be  weary  of  thefe  wanton  Liberties,  in  confequence  of 
which  they  chaftife  the  little  OfRpring,  and  bring  them 
down  to  the  Ground ;  upon  which  the  young  ones,  after 
they  have  turned  round  a  conflderable  Time,  as  if  they 
were  intoxicated,  begin  to  work  in  their  Turn,  and  carry 
Earth  to  theNeft,  to  fullain  ^he  Sheets  of  Wax  that  form 
the  Vault.  This  Earth  they  cement  and  fpread  out  with 
a  backwrad  Motion  of  their  Bodies  over  it.  The  old  ones 
work  in  Wax,  and  the  Young  only  perform  the  Fundlions 
of  Mafons  Servants. 

Chen).  Have  not  the  wild  Bees  a  King  or  Queen,  as  well 
as  the  domefcick  Tribe  ? 

Frkr.  I  have  certainly  feen  amongft  mine,  and  that  very 
frequently,  a  large  Infed,  much  fuperior  in  Size  to  the  rerf^ 
and  without  Wings  or  Hair;  it  was  as  bare  as  a  plucked 
Fowl,  and  black  as  Jet  or  poiiflied  Ebony.  This  King 
(roes  from  time  to  time  to  furvey  the  Work ;  he  enters  inta- 
each  particular  Cell,  feems  to  take  their  Dimenfions,  and 
examine  whether  the  Whole  be  finifl:ied  with  due  Symme- 
try and  Proportion. 

'Coiifit,  1  am  not  certain.  Sir,  whether  you  have  fufH- 
clently  confidered  this  Circumilance,  or  not,  and  am  xtxy 
apt  to  fafpea  this  Monarch  to  be  a  Queen,  and  that  her 
>'ifits  to  each  Cell,  only  tend  to  depofite  her  Eggs  there. 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S  109 

Prior.  I  readily  confefs  my  Inaccuracy  in  this  Particu- 
ir,  and  your  LordHiip  is  much  more  exadl  and  attentive 
lan  myfelf,    in    all  your  Obfervations.      But   however, 

will  proceed  in  the  Account  of  what  I  think  I  have  feen, 
nd  beg  the  Favour  of  you  to  reclify  whatever  may  lead 
lie  Chevalier  into  a  Miflake.  When  this  Queen  makes 
er  Appearance,  all  the  Bees  who  prefent  themfelves  in  her 
Vay,  form  a  Circle  around  her,  they  clap  their  Wing^, 
nd  raife  themfelves  on  their  fore  Feet,  and  after  feveral 
.eaps  and  Curvets,  attend  her  throughout  her  Progrefs ;  at 
he  Conclufion  of  which  the  Queen  retires,  and  all  the 
^fl  return  to  their  Employment.  But  thefe  wild  Infeds 
re  far  from  devoting  themfelves  to  Labour,  with  the  fame 
''igour  and  AiTiduity  which  the  common  Bees  difcover.  In 
lie  Morning,  the  Young  appear  indolent,  and  are  with 
reat  Difficulty  brought  to  apply  themfelves  to  their  feve- 
al  Functions ;  but  in  order  to  rouze  them,  one  of  the  lar- 
efl  of  the  Band,  every  Morning  at  half  an  Hour  pail 
even,  extends  one  half  of  his  Body  out  of  a  Cavity  con- 
rived  for  that  Purpofe,  and  ieated  on  the  mod  elevated 
'art  of  their  City ;  there  he  claps  his  Wings  for  the  Space 
f  a  Quarter  of  an  Hour,  and,  with  the  Noife,  awakens 
11  his  People.  This  fummons  them  to  work,  and  is  the 
)rum  that  beats  the  Signal  of  their  March.  And  I  have 
requently  obliged  my  Fraternity  to  take  Notice  of  this 
:ind  of  Difcipline,  which  exceedingly  diverted  them, 
rhere  is  likewife  another,  who  keeps  Guard  all  Day,  and 

have  feen  him  acquit  himfelf  of  his  Commiffion  with  a 
Vigilance  that  alionifhed  me.  When  I  have  ilruck  the 
live  a  little  harder  than  ordinary,  the  Centinel  immedi- 
.tely  quitted  his  Box,  and  with  an  Air  of  great  Uneafmefs 
md  Emotion,  mounted  to  the  Top  of  the  Vault,  running 
lere  and  there,  to  difcover  what  might  occafion  the  Alarm; 
vhen  he  has  fatisiied  himfelf  that  no  Danger  or  Enemy  was 
lear,  he  returned  to  his  former  Poft.  I  have  fometimes 
hrov/n  a  common  Bee  into  the  Hive,  after  I  had  plucked 
)tF  one  of  his  Wings ;  but  he  was  inilantly  feized  by  the 
L'entinel,  and  laid  dead  on  the  Spot. 

Che^.  This  makes  the  Account  I  have  read  in  my.  Fir- 
rjl,  of  the  Guard  kept  by  Bees,  very  credible.     But  what. 
Sir,  is  the  Food  of  thefe  wild  Bees  ? 
Prior.  They  eat  a  kind  of  Honey,  but  then  'tis  inferior. 

in 


I  to        DIALOGUE    VII. 

in  Purity  to  that  of  the  domeflick  Bees,  becaufe  they  ex- 
tract it  from  Flowers  which  grov^wild,  and  are  inipregna- 
ted  with  Juice  of  a  bitter  Flavour. 

Chenj.  Do  they  llore  up  any  Provifions  ? 

Prior,  Juft  as  the  Bees  do;  and,  for  that  Purpofe,  they 
employ  the  Cells  out  of  which  the  Worms  proceeded: 
Thefe  they  fill  with  Honey,  and  then  clofe  them  up  care- 
fully with  Wax.  They  are  burdened  with  a  Number  of 
Sluggards,  and  'tis  probably  againit  them  that  they  ufe  this 
Precaution. 

Count.  But  in  what  Inllance,  Sir,  did  you  difcover  their 
Idlenefs  ? 

Prior,  In  this :  When  the  reft  of  their  Companions  have 
been  employed  in  the  Fields,  I  have  obferved  thefe  roving 
at  a  fmall  Diilance  from  the  Hive.  They  give  themfelves 
t'i\G  Air  of  working  a  little,  and  then  return  home  and 
cat,  without  having  done  any  thing  material. 

Count.  Your  being  fo  much  accuftomed  to  fee  bad  A6li- 
ons  in  others,  makes  you  fufpicious.  But  thefe  Sluggards, 
you  mention,  feem  to  me  to  be  the  Males,  as  there  are  fuch 
among  the  Bees ;  and  they  are  nourillied  for  a  Seafon,  in 
Requital  of  their  pail  Service ;  but  when  Winter  comes  on, 
they  are  probably  fent  away  to  provide  for  themfelves 
el  fe  where. 

Prior,  What  your  Lordfhip  fays,  appears  very  probable; 
and  I  fee  no  Reafon  why  the  wild  Bees  fhould  not,  as  well 
as  the  others,  have  their  Queen,  their  Males,  and  likevvife 
a  whole  People  without  Diltinftion  of  Sex.  But  this  is  a 
Point  that  requires  farther  Examination. 

Count.  Let  me  beg  the  Favour  of  you.  Sir,  to  proceed  in 
your  Obfervations  on  what  pafs'd  in  your  Hive.  Ail  this 
is  nev/  to  me. 

Prior,  Ah,  my  Lord !  my  Obfervations  are  all  at  an 
End,  for  we  met  with  a  very  great  Accident. 

Che'v.  Pray,  what  was  that  1 

Prior.  Four  Days  ago,  our  Queen  came  out  ytry  early 
in  the  Morning,  and  all  enfeebled  with  Age,  proceeded 
with  a  trembling  March  to  the  Confines  of  her  Dominions. 
I  favv  her  lye  down  behind  a  little  Eminence ;  and  after  ILe 
Jiad  languiihed  a  few  Moments  — 

Chev,  What  happened? 

Friar,    She  breathed  her  laft,    and  all  the  City  was  in 


i 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  Ill 

efohtioii.  The  Drum  did  not  beat  the  Signal  that  Day^ 
id  nothing  was  to  be  feen  but  a  general  Grief  and  De 
c^ion. 

Chev.  The  Prior  makes  me  fyippathife  in  their  AlHidion. 
ut  what  might  be  the  Event  ? 

Prior.  It  was  natural  for  great  Diforders  to  enfue  in  the 
tate;  the  Number  of  Inhabitants  fince  that  time  has 
ally  diminifhed,  and  they  are  continually  removing  in 
ineil  of  a  new  Settlement.  The  Day  before  Yefierday, 
nere  was  a  very  fierce  Battel,  and  one  Animal,  more  en- 
srprizing  than  the  reft,  loll  his  Head ;  I  faw  him  run 
/ichout  it  to  the  Top  of  the  Vault,  where  he  did  not  ex- 
lire  till  this  very  Day.  All  Order  was  at  an  End;  the 
/lorning  Signal  was  no  more  repeated ;  no  Centinel  made 
.is  Appearance,  and  the  regular  Labours  were  entirely  dif* 
ontinued. 

Che'v.  I  am  not  at  all  concerned  at  the  Execution  of  the 
i^Ialefador,  for  I  think  he  makes  a  very  entertaining  Fi- 
gure. 

Prior.  My  Infedls  are  all  difconcerted,  and  I  believe 
rtxy  few  of  them  are  now  left.  If  the  Count  will  truft  the 
Zhe'valier  in  my  Company  for  an  Hour  or  two,  I  will 
hew  him  the  Strudure  of  the  Neil. 

Count.  Do  fomething  more,  if  there  are  no  Stings  to  be 
Feared;  take  out  the  Nell,  and  fend  it  to  me;  or  rather, 
et  us  refign  our  Pretenfions  to  the  Chevalier:  It  will  contri- 
bute to  the  Embellilhment  of  his  Cabinet,  and  may  be 
hung  up  with  his  Wafps  Nell. 

Countejs.  Gentlemen,  you  have  not  yet  difcharged  all 
your  Province  ;  we  have  had  a  good  Account  from  you 
of  the  Tndullry  of  Bees;  but  you  have  not  been  particular 
crough  in  the  Ufe  we  make  of  their  Labours,  and  I  muft 
afk  the  Prior  how  far  thefe  are  capable  of  being  extended. 

Prior.  When  the  Seafons  are  not  irregular,  a  Hive  of 
Bees  may  be  every  Year  worth  a  Piftole  and  more.  If 
there  fhould  be  two  Swarms,  the  Profit  will  be  double  the 
next  Year,  though  you  fhould  deilroy  the  firll  Bees  with 
Sulphur,  in  order  to  take  their  Wax  and  Honey.  They 
are  never  permitted  to  work  above  feven  Years,  becaufe 
they  grow  feeble,  and  their  Labours  are  expofed  to  the 
Ravages  of  Worms  and  Moths,  who,  in  Procefs  of  Time, 
find  out  the  Secret  of  Aiding  into  the  Skins  with  which  the 

young 


112         DIALOGUE    Vir. 

young  Bees  hang  their  Apartments'.  But  I  don't  take  upon 
me  to  give  you  a  Detail  of  the  Management  of  Hives, 
This  is  what  may  be  learned  from  any  com.mon  Gardiner, 
and  the  Country  Houfe  of  honeft  Liehaux  is  in  the  Hand  of 
all  the  World. 

Every  one  likewife  knows  the  various  Ufes  that  are 
made,  not  only  of  Virgin  Wax  as  it  comes  from  the  Hive, 
but  of  that  fort  too  that  has  been  iirft  waflied  and  then  mel- 
ted, and  made  white,  by  expofmg  it  alternately  to  the  . 
Dews  and  Sun-fhine.  With  this  Wax  they  make  not  only 
Flambeaux,  Tapers,  Images,  and  a  hundred  other  Things 
that  are  well  known,  but  they  likewife  employ  it  with  great 
Succefs  in  anatomical  Reprefentations,  that  perfectly  imi- 
tate Nature,  and  preferve  thofe  who  have  no  Occafion  to 
be  deeply  learned,  from  the  Horror  they  are  apt  to  be  in- 
fplred  with  at  the  Sight  of  a  Carcafs,  orFlefhin  a  State  of 
Putrefadion. 

The  richell  Lands  don't  produce  the  befl: 

The   beft         Honey  ;  there  are  fome  Soils  not  very  luxa- 
Honey.  riant,  that  afford  Fruits,  Fowls,    and  each 

Variety  of  Game,  and  generally  all  Produ- 
6lions  that  have  finer  Juices,  and  a  more  exalted  Flavour. 
And  there  the  Honey  is  exquifite.  Such,  for  Inftance,  is 
the  Land  about  Corhiere,  a  few  Leagues  from  Narhonney 
and  great  Part  of  Champagne,  The  Honey  of  thefe  Coun- 
tries is  in  the  befl  Repute.  There  is  one  very  peculiar  Cir- 
cumllance  obferved  in  the  Cantons  of  Champagne^  that  lye 
contiguous  to  the  Rivers,  and  are  richer  than  the  ref!:,  which 
is  this:  The  Bees  make  long  Excurfions  into  the.  neigh- 
bouring Countries,  and  prefer  the  Flowers  they  find  in  a 
dry  and  fteril  Soil,  to  thofe  that  grow  in  the  very  Fields 
where  thefe  Bees  were  rear'd.  A  Gentleman  who  lives  near 
the  River  Aine^  and  whofe  Company  I  enjoy'd  one  Day, 
in  a  Journey Trom  Chalons  upon  X^Li^Mame  to  CharlewUley 
furnilhed  me  with  this  Obfervation.  We  were  about  a 
League  and  art  half  from  his  Eftate,  nvhich  lyes  in  the 
Valley,  on  the  Edge  of  the  lovely  Meadows  of  Jnigny ; 
as  yet  v/e  faw  nothing  but  Heath,  and  could  not  difcover 
any  Village  for  above  a  League  in  Circumference.  Do 
you  take  "Notice,  faid  he,  fhewing  us  a  Crop  of  Buck- 
Wheat,  which  refreihed  us  with  a  very  agreeable  Scent ; 
do  you  take  Notice  of  my  Servants  who  are  difperfed  about 

the 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  113 

e  Country,  and  are  all  at  work  for  me  ?  But  perceiving 
at  we  did  not  comprehend  his  Meaning;  I'his  is  the 
iiole  My  fiery,  continued  he,  thofe  Bees,  who  are  fly]  no- 
rjong  the  Flowers,  come  hither  from  a  Difcance  of  two  or 
ree  Leagues.  We  daily  fee  them  forfake  our  Gardens, 
,d  take  their  Flight  over  the  Meadows,  defpifmg  the  Oil 
d  Fertility  of  our  Vallies :  In  fhort,  they  continue  their 
•ogrefs  to  the  Mountains  and  Plains  of  Champagne,  where 
ey  find  Lavender,  Thyme,  Sweet  Marjomm,  Buckwheat, 
id  feveral  other  Plants  very  little  cultivated,  but  cf  a  moll 
ilicate  Sap.     You  will  find  Bees  all  the  Way  from   hence 

my  Ellate,  and  fome  curious  Cbfervers  are  perfuaded 
ey  have  feen  them,  thrice  in  one  Day,  take  a  Journey  of 
League  and  an  half,  or  two  Leagues,  to  furnilh  their  Ta- 
e  to  their  Palate. 

Cou72tefs.  Chevalier,  thefe  Gentlemen  are  at  the  Ex- 
:nce  of  cur  Converfations ;  but  as  poor  as  you  and  I  may 
;,  1  think,  in  Point  of  Honour,  we  fhoul'd  endeavour  to 
rnifh  our  Proportion,    and  bring  each  of  us  the  Hiitory 

fome  In  fed  To-morrow. 

Che^v.  I  have  made  my  Court  to  the  Prior ^  who  has  a 
agazine  of  Curiofities,  and  purpofe  not  to  come  with 
ipty  Hands  To-morrow. 


fheEnd  of  the feventh'DiALOQvt, 


FLIES 


114       DIALOGUE    VIIl 


FLIES. 


Dialogue  VIII. 

The  Count  and  Countess, 
Jhe  Prior,  and 
The  Chevalier. 

Coumfs.T\'^t\^,  Gentlemen,  let  us  know  our  Richtfs 
*^  before-hand,  and  fee  what  eacn  of  us  con- 


tributes to  this  Day's  Entertainment. 

Count.  You  will  have  nothing  from  me  but  a  fly  ana 

^  Prior.  I  intend  to  give  you  the  Grillotaipa,   or  Mole 
Cricket,  and  the  Ant.  f, 

Cbe-v.  And  I  the  Formicaleo  or  Lion  Pifmire,   a  motti 

terrible  Enemy  to  the  Ants.  ^„,»,;„ 

Coa»/^/^.  Here  are  Materials  enough  for  one  Entertam- 
ment,    and  I  may  referve    my  Part    for   another   Day. 
When  one  is  not  rich,  Oeconomy  is  very  convenient. 
Cca«/.  Let  us  begin  with  the  common  Hy. 

As  weak  and  contemptible  as  this  Crea- 
The  com-       ture  may  appear  to  us,  there  is  fcarce  any 
won  Fly.  Species  of  this  Infeft,  but  what  is  furnifhed 

with  five  or  fix  Advantages  that  are  perpe-i 
tually  ferviceable  to  it  in  all  its  Necefftties.  For  Inrtance, 
it  has  excellent  Eyes,  it  has  likewife  Antennae,  or  Horns, 
Wings,  Claws,  Sponges,  and  a  Trunk. 

Its  Eyes,    as  well  as  thofe  of   Beetles, 

Its  Eyes.  and  Dragon  Flies,    are  of  a  peculiar  Stru- 

fture:    They  are  two  little  Crefcents,     ox 

immoveable  Caps,  difpofed  round  the  Head  of  the  Infeft 

and  comprehending  a  prodigious  Number  of  mmute  Eyes 


0^  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  115 

or  cryftaline  Humours,  ranged  like  Lentils,  in  Lines  crof- 
fing  each  other,  in  the  Forni  of  Lattice  Work  *.  Under 
thefe  one  may  difcover  a  Set  of  Fibres,  or  optick  Nerves, 
correfponding  in  Number  to  the  external  Divifions,  or  lit- 
tle Planes ;  and  curious  Obfervers  will  tell  you,  they  have 
counted  feveral  Thoufands  in  each  Combination  f.  But 
whatever  their  Numbers  may  be,  it  is  certain  ||  that  all  thefe 
Planes  are  a  Colleflion  of  Eyes,  on  which,  as  on  fo  many 
Mirrors,  outward  Objeds  are  painted-l* .  One  may  fee 
the  Figure  of  a  lighted  Taper  multiplied  almofl  to  Infinity, 
3n  their  Surfaces,  and  fhifting  its  Beams  into  each  Eye, 
In  Proportion  to  its  being  varied  in  its  Motions  by  the  0I> 
ferver's  Hand. 

Chev.  To  what  End  is  this  Prodigality  of  Eyes  beftow- 
ed  ?  The  Generality  of  other  Animals  are  well  fatisfied 
with  two. 

Ccunt,  The  Eyes  of  other  Creatures  are  multiplied  by 
Motion,  ifl  may  ufe  that  ExprefTion ;  whereas  thofe  of  a 
Fly  are  fixed  and  immoveable,  and  can  only  fee  what  \y^% 
di redly  before  them  \  they  are  very  numerous  therefore, 
md  placed  on  a  round  Sur^ce,  fome  in  a  high,  others  in 
I  low  Situation,  to  inform  the  Fly  of  every  Thing  wheie- 
in  fhe  can  be  interefled.  She  has  a  Number  of  Enemies, 
^ut,  with  the  Aid  of  thefe  Eyes  that  furround  her  Head, 
he  difcovers  whatever  Danger  threatens  her  from  above, 
)ehind,  or  on  either  Side,  even  when  ihe  is  in  full  Purfuit 
)f  a  Prey  diredlly  before  her;  and  the  fame  Objed  is  as 
iiftindly  perceived  by  that  Profufion  of  Eyes,  as  it  is  by 
IS,  who  behold  it  with  no  more  than  a  Couple. 

When  we  have  finifhed  our  Walk,  1  intend  to  fhew  you, 
n  my  Microfcope,    the  round  Edgings,  to- 
gether with  the  glazed  Subilance  and  Fringe     •"  The  Wings 
>f  its  Wings.     We  lliall  then  obfen^e  i^vtvi     and  Claws. 
ir  eight  Articulations,    two  bending  Claws, 
md  ieveral  minute  Points,  on  each  of  its  Paws.    Nor  fhall 

*  Lf «wf»Z)oe^'s  Arcan.  Nat.  Tom.  ill.  Ep.  iii.  NIeuwentit.  Exift. 
iv.  2.  c.  7. 

t  Eight  thoufand  at  leaft,  according  to  Lcuivenboek^  Experim.  and" 
>.ntemp!.  Ep.  83. 

II  Leuivenhoek,  ibid. 

4-  Obfervations  de  Puget#, 

forget 


m6        dialogue     VII. 

forget  the  double  Packet  of  Sponges,  placed 
The  Sponges.        below,  at  the  Jundure  of  its  Claws.     Some 
Naturalifts  fuppofe,  that  when  this  Animal 
nmrches  over  any  polifhed  Body,    on  which  neither  her 
Claws  nor  Points  can  fallen,    fhe  fometiraes  compreiTes  her 
Sponge,  and  caufes  it  to  evacuate  a  Fluid,  which  fixes  her 
in  fuch  a  Manner  as  prevents  her  falling,  without  diminiih^ 
ing  the  Facility  of  her  Progrefs.     But  it  is  much  more  pro- 
bable that  the  Sponges  correfpond  with   the  fleihy  Balls, 
which  accompany  the  Claws   of  Dogs  and  Cats ;  and  that 
they  enable  the  Fly  to  proceed  with  a  fofter  Pace,  and  con- 
tribute to  the  Prefervation  of  its  Claws,  whofe  pointed  Ex- 
tremities would  be  foon  impaired  without  this  Prevention. 
Befide  thefe  Sponges,  her  Paws  ar^  Ihaded  with  a  Growth 
of  Hair,  which  flie  employs  inilead  of  a  Brulli  to  clean 
h?r  Wings  and  Eyes. 

Che<v.  I  have  been  fometlmes  very  much  delighted  to 
fee  her  perform  this  Piece  of  Exercife.  She  firll  cleans  her 
Bruilies,  and  then  rubs  one  Paw  againft  the  other,  and  af- 
terwards draws  them,  firft  over  her  Wings,  and  then  un- 
der; concluding  the  Whole  with  brufhing  her  Head.  But 
what  Occafion  has  ilie  to  repeat  the  fame  Work  fo  often  ? 

Vrior.  Cleanlinefs  is  her  indifpenfable  Care,  and  fhe 
knows,  that  were  it  not  for  this  Precaution,  Duil  and 
Smoke,  as  well  as  Rain  and  Fogs,  would  cloud  her  Eyes, 
as  well  as  fettle  on  her  Wing?,  and  incumber  her  delicate 
Body.     But  we  interrupt  his  Lordfhip. 

Count^  Her  Trunk  is  compofed  of  two 
TheTnmk .        Parts,  one  of  which  folds  over  the  other, 
and  both  of  them  are  fheathed  in  her  Mouth. 
The  Extremity  of  this  Trunk  is  iliarp  like  a  Knife,  to  en- 
able her  to  cut  what  fhe  earts.     She  likewife  forms  it  into 
two  Lios,  that  fhe  may  the  better  take  up  proper  Quanti- 
ties  of  Food;    and  when  fhe  fucks  up  the  Air  it  contams, 
fhe  employs  it,  as  a  Pump,  for  drawing  up  Liquors.     Se- 
veral  Flies,  at  the  other  Extremity  of  their  Body,  are  fur- 
nifhed     with    a   Piercer  *,    above     three 
The  Piercer.        Twelfths  of  an  Inch  in  Length,  with  which 
they  penetrate  wherever  they  pleafe,    and 

*  Leuwenhcek'8  Arcati,  Nat.  Tom.  '\xu    Ep.   J3^»   and  Tom*  ii. 

^P-  •**•  then 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  117 

then  (heath  it  between  their  Scales.  This  Inftrument  con- 
fifls  of  feveral  Parts,  as  particularly  one  or  two  Saws  finely 
pointed  at  the  End,  and  well  indented  thro'  the  whole 
Length;  a  long  Cafe  to  enclofe  them;  a  Syllem  of 
Mufcles,  to  unflieath  them;  and  a  Set  of  Fibres,  to  bring 
them  back  to  their  Socket.  Its  lall  Piece  of  Furniture  is  a 
Bag  of  corroding  Water,  to  eat  into  the  Cavities  that  have 
been  firll  opened  by  the  Saws . 

Thofe  Flies  that  penetrate  tlie  Leaves  of  the  Oak,  are. 
furnifhed  with  fuch  a  Piercer,  as  I  have  alread  y  de- 
scribed. 

Thofe,  whofe  Pundlures  are  feen  in  the  Bark  of  *  Rofe 
Frees,  have  one  of  a  very  different  Strudure.  It  is  forrned 
into  a  long  Tube,  which  terminates  in  a  bending  Point, 
ike  a  pruning  Knife,  and  is  accompanied,  through  its 
fcvhole  Length,  with  feveral  Ranges  of  T'eeth.  The  Fly 
Bril  traces  out,  with  the  iliarp  Part  of  this  Inftrument,  a 
Imall  Furrow,  on  the  Branch  of  a  RofeTtee,  after  which, 
Le  places  the  long  indented  Tube  on  that  Furrow,  and 
then,  by  twining  and  returning  the  whole  Infirument, 
[he  opens  on  all  Sides,  a  Number  of  Cells,  which  appear 
like  Ranges  of  Teeth,  difpofed  in  Pairs,  along  the  Extent 
of  a  Line  that  feparates  them. 

The  fame  Tube  likewife  enables  her  to  depcfite  an  Egg 
in  each  Cavity,  and  when  the  Fleat  has  at  lail  hatclied  the 
little  Worm  in  the  Egg,  it  quits  its  ManfiOn,  to  gnaw  a 
Leaf  of  the  Rofe  Tree,  and  gradually  increafes  in  Growth, 
like  a  fmall  Caterpillar.  The  Animal,  at  the  End  of  fix 
Weeks,  and  after  it  has  frequently  clianged  its  Skin,  ceafes 
to  eat,  and  defcends  to  the  lower  Fart  of  the  Tree,  where  it 
fpins  a  Covering  around  its  Body.  The  Fly,  contained  in 
this  ¥/,orm,  endeavours  to  force  itfelf  a  Paffage  through 
the  Skin  of  that  Creature,  and  accomplilhes  her  Furpofe  by 
Degrees.  The  Skin  of  the  Worni  cleaves  open,  and  {brinks 
with  the  Head  and  Inteftines,  that  are  nov/  become  ufelefs. 
The  Fluid  in  which  the  Fly  fwims,  and  v^hich  might  pof- 
fibly  contribute  to  its  Difengagement  from  the  Worm,  be- 
gins to  dry  all  around  the  new  Animal,  and  is  then  con- 
verted into  a  Kind  of  Bag  or  Shell,  which  makes  the  Fly 
feem  in  a  State  of  Inaclivity,  and  even  without  any  Symp- 

*  yallifneri  la  Mofca  de  Rofai. 

toms 


n8         DIALOGUE  VIII. 

toms  of  Life.  She  either  continues  but  a  ihort  Space  of 
Time  in  the  State  of  an  Aurelia,  or  elfe  paffes  the  whole 
Winter  in  that  Situation,  according  to  the  Degree  of  Heat 
(he  then  experiences.  Thefe  few  Inftances  Sir,  will  enable 
vou  to  iud^e  of  the  Inftruments  with  which  each  Species 
is  accommodated,    and  of  the  various  Changes  through 

which  they  pafs.  ,     ^      t..  vi:  j  r 

The  common  Fly,  inflead  of  a  Piercer  qualified  for  pe- 
netratingWood,  has  only  aTube,  with  which  Ihe  depo- 
fites  her  Eggs,  in  Flefh  that  has  been  foftened  by  Heat, 
and  likewife  in  all  Subitances  that  are  fucculent  or  milky, 
and  faked  but  little;  becaufe  the  fharp  Particles  of  Salt  are 
more  apt  to  tear  the  tender  Organs  of  her  Young,  than  con- 
tribute  to  their  Prefervation.  From  thefe  Eggs  proceed^  a 
Brood  of  Worms,  who,  afterwards  change  to  Aurelia  s, 
and  then  to  Flies ;  I  omit  the  Confequences  of  their  ex- 
treme Fecundity,  and  fhall  only  obferve,  that  neither  the 
Lion's  Throat,  nor  the  Wolf's  Teeth,  nor  all  the  Horns 
and  Fangs  of  wild  Beails,  in  their  united  Rage,  are  fo 
r-ernicious  to  Man,  as  this  little  Piercer,  which  Nature  has 
beftowed  on  a  common  Fly,  to  dig  a  Repofitory  for  her 
E^gs.  The  Cafe  is  not  the  fame  with  Ichneumon  Flies, 
anii  feveral  other  Species ;  for  they  are  in  fome  meafure 
beneficial  to  us.  The  Generality  of  thefe  Creatures  fuitam 
and  ilielter  themfelves  in  fome  particular  Plant,  and  it  is 
to  their  Solicitude  to  lay  their  Eggs  there,  that  we  owe  both 
the  Invention  and  Materials  of  the  fineft  Colours,  ufed  ei- 
ther in  Dying  or  Painting,  as  alfo  the  deepeft  Black,  com- 
mon Ink,  Scarlet,  Vermilion,  and  many  more. 

Countefs.  I  have  always  heard  that  Ink  was  a  Compofi- 
tion  of  Vitriol,  and  Gail-Nuts  gathered  from  Oaks,  and 
that  the  Scarlet  Dye  was  produced  from  Cochineal,  or  Scar- 
let Grain :  And  1  don't  in  the  leaft  comprehend,  what 
Ufe  can  be  made   either  of  Ichneumon  Flies,    or  their 

Piercer. 

Count.  Tis  this :    There  is  a  Species  of 

The  Origin  of    FHes  ^  who  chufe  to  depofite  their  Eggs  in 

the  Gall-Nut.      the  Oak,  preferably  to  any  other  Tree,  and 

with  the  Inftrument  I  have  been  defcnbmg, 

pierce  into  the  Heart  of  a  Leaf,  and  frecjuently  to  the  Bud 

♦  Malphigi  de  Callis.  f,  w. 


0/   I  N  S  E  C  T  a  119 

elf,  whilft  it  is  yet  tender,  and  then  with  their  Saw  pene- 
ite  to  the  very  Pith.  At  the  fame  time,  fhe  inje^s  into 
is  Cavity,  a  Drop  of  her  corroding  Liquor,  and  imme- 
itely  lays  an  Egg,  and  fometimes  feveral,  there.  The 
eart  of  the  Bud  being  wounded  in  this  Manner,  the  Cir- 
lation  of  the  nutritious  Juice  is  interrupted,  and  by  the 
ixture  of  the  Poifon  infufed  by  the  Fly,  is  thrown  into  a 
Tmentation  that  burns  the  contiguous  Parts,  and  there 
anges  the  natural  Colour  of  the  Plant.  The  Juice  or 
p,  turned  from  its  proper  Channel,  extravafates  and  Rows 
jnd  the  Egg.  After  which  it  fwells,  and  is  dilated  by 
s  Spring  of  feveral  little  Bubbles  of  Air,  that  enter  through 
2  Pores  of  the  Bark,  and  float  in  the  VefTels  with  the  Sap ; 
Suiface  is  dried  by  the  external  Air,  and  hardens  in  a 
rm  that  refembles  the  Bending  of  a  Vault,  or  the  Round- 
fs  of  a  Kernel.  This  little  Ball  gradually  receives  its  Nou- 
bment.  Growth,  and  Vegetation,  like  the  other  Parts 
the  Tree,  and  is  what  we  properly  call  the  Gall-Nut. 
The  Worm  that  is  hatched  under  this  fpacious  Roof, 
ds  in  the  tender  Subftance  of  the  Ball,  a  Suftenance  ac- 
[nmodated  to  its  Nature;  it  eats  and  digefls  it,  till  its 
•ansformation,  iirft  into  a  Nymph,  and  then  into  a  Fly  : 
ter  which,  finding  itfelf  furnifhed  with  all  its  Equipage, 
pierces  through  the  Inclofure,  and  launches  into  the  o- 
n  Air. 

You  may  eafily  be  convinced  of  the  Truth  of  this  Ac- 
mt ;  examine  the  Gall-Nuts  that  grow  at  the  Beginning 
Summer,  and  you  will  immediately  fee  them  pierced 
ough ;  becaufe  the  Warmth  of  the  Seafon  has  advanced 
'  Egg,  the  Nymph,  and  the  Fly  to  Maturity.  If,  when 
a  open  them,  you  Ihould  find  a  little  Spider  there,  don't 
agine  fhe  came  from  the  Egg  of  a  Fly ;  for  when  this 
ea  quits  the  Gall-Nut,  the  Place  does  not  ceafe  to  be 
ful ;  a  fmall  Spider  generally  flides  into  the  Cavity,  and 
ds  a  Space  already  prepared  for  her  Habitation,  and 
Te  fpins  her  Web,  in  Proportion  to  the  Dimenfions  of 
:  Cell,  where  fhe  enfnares  the  minute  Infedls  that  venture 
o  her  Territories. 

But  the  Cafe  is  not  the  fame  with  the  Gall-Nut  that 
)ws  in  Autumn.  The  Cold  frequently  comes  on  before 
:  Worm  is  changed  into  a  Fly,  or  before  the 
:  Fly  can  difengage  itfelf  from  its  ConSnement.      The 

N«t 


120       DIALOGUE    VIII. 

Nut  falls  with  the  Leaves,  and,  I  fuppofe,  you  imagine  the 
inclofed  Iniea  to  be  deilroyed ;  but  the  Fadt  is  quite  other- 
wife,  and  her  very  Covering  contributes  to  her  Prefervation. 
In  this  manner  ihe  pafTes  the  Winter,  well  lodged,  and 
calked  up,  in  the  Shell  of  the  Nut,  and  even  buried  under 
a  Heap  of'  Leaves  that  preferve  her  from  all  Injury.  ^  But 
this  Manfion,  that  proves  fo  commodious  in  the  Winter, 
is  a  Prifon  in  the  Spring;  and  the  Fly,  awakened  by  the 
£ril  Heais,  opens  herfelf  a  PaiTage,  and  expatiates  in  full, 
Liberty.  A  rmall  Aperture  fufhces  her,  becaufe,  at  this- 
time,  her  Bulk  is  very  inconfiderable,  and  befide  this,  the 
Rings  which  compoic  the  Body,  lengthen,  and  become 
pliable  in  her  Paflage. 

Che-j.  Your  Lcrdihip  enables  me  to  comprehend  the 
Reafon,  wliy  we  iind  a  Worm  under  the  hard  Shell  of  a 
Fiiberd',  or  a  fmall  Is^at.  It  undoubtedly  proceeds  from  an 
Eogleft  there  by  a  Fly,  when  the  Fruit  was  tender,  and 
one  always  fees  the  Orifice  made  by  the  Piercer,  through, 
which  the  Inkdi  injeded  her  Egg.  ^    ^    , 

Count,  If  this  Orifice  iliould  be  clofed  up,  as  it  is  m 
Fruits,  Peafe  and  Beans,  it  is  becaufe  the  Flow  of  the  Sap 
into  the  Wound  Hops  it  up  by  Degrees.  T  he  Worm  when 
Ihe  forfakes  the  Egg,  hnds  in  the  hollow  of  the  Kernel,  or 
the  Heart  of  the  Fruit,  a  Sohtude  where  nothing,  can  in- 
commode her,  and  has  alfo  a  Supply  of  Frovifions,^  m 
whofe  Property  ihe  has  no  Coiripetitor.  She  works  there 
with  her  Teeth,  and  Feet,  in  full  Eafe,  and  thrives  to  Ad- 
miration, till  finding  her  Wings  unfolded,  the  Love  of  Li- 
berty and  Pleafure  prompts  her  to  make  an  Opening  in  the 
Wail,  and  then  il^e  failles  out  to  feek  Company. 

Ghe^-j.  You  make  this  folitary  Ad  a  very  pleafant  Part. 
Countefs,  This  Explication  of  the  Original  of  a  Gall- 
Nut,  fees  me  from  a  great  Perplexity.  I  was  in  P-i"  to 
know,  whether  the  Oak  which  produced  the  Acorn,  did 
not  likewife  bear  another  kind  of  Fruit  of  a  very  different 
Nature;  but  I  zm  now  convinced,  that  thefe  Nuts  are  no 
more  than  Excrefcencies,  occafioned  by  the  Pundure  made 

by  an  Infedl.  - 

-  Count,   They  are  called  Nuts,    without  any  manner  ot 
Reafon.     It  is  true,    they  have  fomething  like  a  Kernel, 
and  are  gathered  from  a  Tree;    but  then  they  have  only  a 
falfe  Appearance  of  a  Nut  or  Fruit,   without  bemg  eitaer 
^  3  '^^ 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  a  12 1 

^e  one  or  the  other.  There  is  hardly  any  Plant,  but  what 
i  pierced  in  the  fame  manner  by  feme  Infeft,  and  which 
reduces  feme  of  thefe  pretended  Nuts,  of  all  Sizes  and 
'olours.  Some  Trees  have  their  Leaves  entirely  cruiled 
'ith  them,  but  they  are  not  called  by  any  particular 
iame,  becaufe  they  are  never  ufed;  but  it  is  poffible,  that 
lo^e  which  grow  on  the  Plane  Tree,  the  Poplar,  the  Wil- 
>w,  the  Box,  and  Ivy,  would  afford  very  rich  Colours, 
ere  People  difpofcd  to  make  the  Expej  iment. 
^  Countefs,  Is  it  not  the  fame  with  Cochiiieal,  as  it  is 
'ith  theGall-Nut? 

Count.  Cochineal  is  neither  a  Fruit,    nor  a  Gall-Nut, 
>rmed  by  the  Pundure  made  by  an  Infedl ;  *  but  it  is  the 
ifea  itfelf  who  pierces  the  Cochineal  Tree.     This  Plant, 
hich  in  Nenjj  Spain  is  called    the  Nopal,    is   a  Specie*  of 
leFig-Tree;    the  Leaves  are  thick,    full  of  Juice,    and 
lorny.     The  Inhabitants  who  cultivate  it,  {sn^^^  fl^om  the 
eaves,  at  the  Approach  of  the  rainy  Seafon,    feveral  lit- 
e  Infeds,    that  fuck  the  Green  Plant.      They  preferve 
lem  in  their  own  Houfes,    and  nourifh    them'  with  the 
ranches  of  the  Nopal.     When  they  are  grown  ftrong, 
id  the  Rains  are  over,    they  put  twelve  or  fourteen  of 
lem  into  httle  Panniers  made  of  Mofs,  or  the  Down  thac 
)vers  the  Cocoa-Nut.     lliefe  Panniers  they  place  on  the 
opal,    and  the  Cochineal  Infeds,    in  a  few  Days,    give 
irth  to^an  infinite  Number  of  Young.     The  Dam  lives  but 
(liort  Time  after  they  have  laid  their  Egg?,  and  are  what 
ay  be  called  the  firil  Produce.     The  Young  forfake  the 
mniers,    and  difperfe  themfdves  over  all   the  Verdure  of 
e  Nopal,   and  thrive  to  that  Degree,   in  the  Space  of 
ree  Months,  as  to  be  prolific  in  their  Turn.     The  fecond 
•ood  are  permitted  to  live,  but  all  the  Parents  are  carried 
)me  and  killed;    the  new  Off-fpring  on  the  Tree  have 
iewife  their  Young,  at  the  End  of  three  or  four  Months ; 
It  lell  they  fliouid  all  be  dellroyed  in  the  rainy  Seafon, 
e  Inhabitants  carry  home  tlie  Dams,    as  well  as  their 
ft-fpnng ;    and  this  is  the  third  Produce.      A  fufhcient 
umber  of  the  young  Infers  are  prefer ved,  to  continue  the 
secies  the  next  Year,    and  all  t\i^  reil  are  killed  in  hot 

JJ^HiftNat.  de  la  Cochenille  vfrinee  par  m  att€Asit:ons  ^ti  V\<?-^  de 
Province  d'Oxaca,  Amfl,  1729,  ^  ^ 

G  \^^ate;? 


^^^        DIALOGUE   VIII. 

Water    or  Ove.    or  upon  fl.^^^^^^^ 

X^dT„T.o  WaLta^  :f  a  brown  Colour,   inclining 
Oeltroyea  '"  ""^  j  ,.j5ied  in  the  Oven,    are  of 

'    Arconfplexton    andftreaked  like  Marble,    and  fuch 
:?  t^hL'r^rHn  the  Stove,  -  black    and  fe..^urnt 
Their  Infide  is  filled  with  a  beautirul  red  Dull.     Ihele  in 
fras  Le  fent  to  us  dried,  and  half  reduced  to  a  Powder,  in 
IS    wtLuttheAMance  of  a  Microf^ope,   one  may 
iirtWuim  an    oval    Body,    Scaks    and    Paws,    or  little; 
Secefof  them  bruifed,  and  a  fmall  pointed  Trunk. 

The  L-ick    which  prodiices  the  fineft  Red,    is  a  refinous 
Gul    gad  ered  by  FlL,  or  winged  Pifmires  from  difteren 
Fowerf   +  and  this  tliey  depofite,    either  on  the  Brancnes 
of  Tt  ee    or  on  Poles,   which  are  prefented  to  them  by 
die  cluSy  People,    with  an  Intention  to  profit  by  their 

^  The  Drain  of  Kermes,  or  Scarlet  ^^  ^ '^^^^^  [ff  Shell  ,^ 
formed  by  the  Infea  that  pierces  the  Green  Oak  or 
fmdl  HoL-Tree;  and  when  the  gathering  of  their  Shells 
Kn  t"o  loLgnegleaed    a  V-^f^Xl^i^' 

.^:^lLd  wUh  the  Uule  ^g^^in  ^J^^^^^ 
LT&easf  LelSK;  ^t  Work  upon  all  oi.  Plants.  We 
rSetdare  not  curious  enough  to  make  any  Experiments 
on  what  they  offer  us,  and  perhaps  take  long  Voyages  to 
?he/S«    for  Commodities  that  are  daily  prefented  to  us 

^'  C/°.r  We  are  charmed,  my  Lord,  with  your  Flies;  but 
are  the  Gnats  too  as  curious  in  their  Kind  ?  .     .    ^ 

'  c'L  Their  Ufefulnefs  perhaps  is  not  fo  grea^  b^ 
.^e--r  Transformations  are  more  extraordmary.  J-et  us 
nke  a  Turn  along  the  Mote  of  Ae  Caftle.  1  havedifco- 
iied  wh^l-^  want.  Stoop  down  a  little.  Che.ah^,  to- 
SsThe  Root  of  that  Tree  which  ^oots  -/o^he  Wa«n 
What  do  you  difcover  on  the  Surface  of  the  Mote,  cioie 
by  the  Root  ? 

t  Memoirs  de  r  Acad,  des  Jcienc.  M-  Geoffroi,  le  Jeune,  i7H-^^_^^^ 


(/n/ru  a?u/  ot/ur  I/u/:ct)^ 


Tamj-ytuZ/J 


J^/^zA^j^/^.  -/"  A^^  ^^3 


Of  I  N  SEC  T  S.  123 

Chv,  I  fee  fomething  like  a  little  Skve,  faften'd  at  one 
End  to  the  Stump  of  the  Root. 

Cou^l.  That  Sieve  is  a  fmall  Piece  of  Glew,  fuflained  by 
the  Water,  and  the  pretended  Holes  of  the  Sieve,  are 
Eggs  properly  ranged  upon  the  Glew,  *  to  prevent  them 
Tom  finkmg;  and  the  Faltening  which  joins  it  to  the  Root 
preferves  the  Whole  from  being  carried  away  by  the 
^/inds,  to  any  other  Situation  that  might  prove  too  cold, 
md  where  the  Eggs,  for  want  of  Sun-lhine,  cou!d  not  be 
latched. 

^  C/:e^.    What  Animal  has  taken  all  thefe  wife  Precau- 
ions  ? 

CounL  Tis  the  Work  of  Gnats,  who  are  fo  well  known 
>y  their  Buzzing,  and  fharp  Stings. 

C^f'-u.  How !  does  the  Gnat,  who  lives  upon  the  Eanh, 
nd  m  the  Air,  lay  her  Eggs  in  the  Water  ? 

Courif.  Have  you  not  frequently  feen  Gnats  flickering 
long  the  Surface  of  ftanding  Waters  ?  They  are  fond  of  that 
Neighbourhood,  becaufe  there  they  rear  their  beloved  Kami- 
/.I  grant  there  are  other  Species,  that  feem  to  be  born 
1  the  deep  RecefTes  of  Woods,  and  probably  at  a  great  Di- 
ance  from  the  Water;  but  I  will  give  you  the  Hiilory 
f  thofe  that  have  come  to  my  Knowledge,  in  a  few 
^^ords. 

From  the  Eggs  flrewed  over  a  Bed  of  Glew,  on  the 
:dge  of  the  Water,  proceeds  a  Brood  of  little  Animals 
^ho  pafs  through  three  different  States.  They  are  firll 
^habitants  of  that  Raid  Element ;  they  then  change  from 
]uatick  to  amphibious  Creatures,  living  both  in  the  Air 
id  Water;  and  at  lafl  confine  themfelves  entirely  to  the 
ir. 

In  their  firfl  State  they  are  Aquaticks,  in 
hich  Period  they  wear  the  Form  of  minute        Their  three 
'orms,  and  make  themfelves  little  Lodg-     States, 
ents  of  Glew,  which  they  fallen  to  fome 
lid  Body,  at  the  very  Bottom  of  the  Water,  unlefs  they 
eet  with  any  Chalk;  which,  being  more  pliant  and  foft, 
Tmits  them  to  fink  a  Habitation   in  its  Entrails,  where 
ey  are  defended  from  the  Teeth  of  Filhes,  but  not  from 
e  Claws  of  Cray-filh. 

^  Hifl.  dcs  Inf,  par  Swamm. 

G  2  This 


,24        DIALOGUE    VIH. 

This  Worn,  in  ^^??^' :s^j}:^^:sis, 

and  acquires  a    arge  Head,  and  a  lau  i    gg  ^^^^^^ 

and  moitten'd  with  an  "/'y^ft'^^J'^'orPlace  to  Place, 
her  to  i-uftain  and  tranfport  ^erMt  tK.m  W        ^^ 

^r  "^/'  fhrWa::r"£d  her  Tail  ffiding  on  the  Sur- 
glunged  m  the  Wa^.  which  her  Tail  is  lubricated,  be- 
fece.     If'^^„„"k,e  difcharees  an  unauous  Humour  out 

dition  of  Life:    She  ^"""""^  ^  ^j^^^n      and  Tail  ;  but, 

from  the  Rums  oi  c.t-c  -^  j  aauated  by  a  fur-i 

Inlea  fpr^np  '««  ?' j^^jS^^th  tl^  fineft  Texture  of; 
?"'b!  Ilf &aT  is  bfauXd"^^^  a  delicate  Plumage 
Ki  ;!::  B^^o^y  inUed  with^S^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
it  from  Humidity  and  Duft.  She  ^"^'  '^^'^'■^I'.l.^  Bags 
Wings  by  -bb-Vderto'^pSft  her  in  an'equal  MotioS. 
^'^t.'^&'^f'tSZr^L  border  tU  Wing, 
-  admirable  in  their  Kind-   .   ^^^^  ^^^^  ^^,,  Equi- 

— '        -^It^re^trir-^^^^^^^^ 

f  .1,^  areateft  Wonders  of  Nature  ;    it  is  lo  ex-, 
IS  one  of  t'^^f  2V  the  bSt  Microfcopes  hardly  give  u^ 

'^^'^ZfLr  miSt     Whatisfirft  difcoverable,    « 
a  ViewofitsExtremiyT-      ,  ^    ^,^^^^3  „„dei^ 

a  Cafe  compofed  of  long  i>caies,    uwi     j^-fy^^re  of  two 

with  cutting  Teeth,  towards  the  Pomt,    wnicn 
t  Uuwe8li«,k,  A|«n.  Nat.  Pxper.  &  Cou.  Ep.  69-  j^^^j^^. 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  125 

►oked,  and  whofe  Finenefs  is  inexpreflible.  When  all 
efe  Stings  are  darted  into  the  Flefh  of  Animals,  and 
ake  their  Wounds  fometimes  one  after  another,  and 
metimes  in  Conjundlion,  the  Blood  and  Humours  of  the 
joining  Farts  mult  unavoidably  be  forced  out  of  their 
sfTels,  and  caufe  a  Tumour  in  the  Inciiion,  whofe  little 
riiice  is  clofed  by  the  Compreiiion  of  the  external  Air. 
When  the  Gnat,  by  the  Extremity  of  her  Sheath,  tnat 
^ve;>  her  inilead  of  a  Tongue,  has  found  out  any  Fruits, 
efh,  or  Juices  fhe  has  been  leeking ;  if  it  happen  to  be  a 
iquor,  fhe  fucks  it  up  without  eje(rtmg  her  Lancets ; 
It'  if  Ihe  meets  with  Flefh  that  refills  her  Efforts,  Ihe 
ngs  very  feverely,  and  then  ilieaths  her  W^eapons  in  the 
:abbard,  which  ihe  applies  to  the  OriHce  of  the  Wound, 
id,  through  the  Gavit:y  draws  up  the  Juices  fhe  finds 
ere.    . 

This  is  the  Inftrument  with  which  the  Gnat  is  accom- 
odated for  Summer  Work  ;  but,  in  the  Winter  Seafon, 
e  is  releafed  from  the  Care  of  obtaining  Provifions;  for 
len  fhe  ceafes  to  eat,  and  pafTes  all  that  melancholy 
*afon  in  Caves  and  Quarries ;  which,  at  the  Return  of 
ammer,  flie  forfakes,  and  takes  her  Flight  in  Quell  of  a 
anding  Water,  where  fhe  may  have  an  Opportunity  to 
jrpetuate  her  Family,  who  would  foon  be  hurried  away 
f  the  Rapidity  of  a  running  Stream.  The  little  Progeny 
•e  fometimes  fo  numerous,  that  the  very  Water  is  co- 
ured,  according  to  the  Complexion  of  the  Species.  When 
ley  are  green,  it  exhibits  the  fame  Tindture;  as  it 
sepens  into  a  f^nguine  Dye,  when  the  Infefts  happen  to 
e  red.  'Tis  now  the  Priors  Turn  to  favour  us  with  an 
xcount  of  the  Grillotalpa. 

Comtefs.  The  Sound  of  that  hard  Word 
locks  my  Ear,  why  don't  you  give  it  the  The  Form  of 
lir  of  our  Language  ?  Is  not  this  the  Ani-  the  Grillotalpa, 
lal  I  have  feen  in  y®ur  Clofet,  flretch'd  on  a 
reen  Turf,  and  covered  with  a  little  chryflal  Vafe.  The 
feature  is  near  three  Inches  long,  has  two  Horns  before, 
nd  as  many  behind,  to  give  it  Intelhgence  of  all  that 
•afTes  amidll  the  Darknefs  in  w^hich  (he  refides :  She  has 
ikewife  a  Couple  of  flrong,  fhort  Wings,  and  two  that 
re  very  long ;  a  large  Coat  of  Mail  on  her  Back,  and 
wo  Arms  fortified  with  a  couple  of  dreadful  Saws. 

G  3  Countl 


126       DIALOGUE    VIII. 

Courd.  'Tis  the  very  fame. 

Countefs.  I  think  1  have  heard  it  called  a  Mole-Cricket ; 
becaufe  it  lives  under  Ground,  like  a  Mole,    and  imitates   ^ 
the  Chirping  of  a  Cricket;  and  this  is  the  Name  I  would 
chufe  to  give  it. 

Frior.  The  Ladies  have  a  greater  Privilege  than  our  Sex, 
in  the  LTe  of  new  Words,  and  her  Ladyfliip's  Authority 
may  give  a  Currency  to  this  Term  ;  we  will  therefore  truH 
to  the  Event. 

Count,  With  the  ?rior\  Leave  we  will  walk  to  a  Corner 
of  the  Parterre,  v^here  you  will  find  a  Neil  of  thefe  Mole- 
Crickets.  You  fee  I  have  Intelligence  of  all  that  pailes 
here.  Each  Tribe  of  Animals  is  at  work  for  me.  This 
is  the  Place. 

Trior,  Let  us  take  a  Spade,  and  fliew  the 

The  Neft  of  Chevalier  a  Clod  of  cemented  Earth,  in  the 
Eggs.        '  Heart  of  which  he  will  find  ""  a  little  Apart- 

ment capable  of  containing  two  Filberds, 
and  there  all  the  Eggs  are  lodged.  Let  us  open  it  gently, 
xmd  be  careful  we  don't  break  any  Thing.  That,  Sir,  is 
the  Clod  1  was  fpeaking  of,  you  fee  it  appears  as  large  as 
an  Egg,  and  is  furrounded  with  a  little  Trench.  Take  it 
up  ai^  cut  it  through  the  middle.  You  will  find  the  En- 
trance into  the  Chamber  has  been  clofed  up. 

Che'v,  'Tis  very  true.  What  a  prodigious  Number  of 
Eggs  are  lodged  in  the  Cavity  !  Let  me  count  them.  I 
find  an  hundred  and  fifty.     But  why  are  they  laid  there  ? 

Prior.  Were  the  Eggs  covered  with  lefs  Caution,  or 
ihould  the  leaft  Breath  of  Air  be  admitted  to  them,  they 
would  be  deftitute  of  the  neceffary  Warmth,  and  the 
whole  Poilerity  would  be  deftroyed.  Befide  this,  the  Mole 
Crickets  are  obliged  to  flop  up,  with  fo  much  Exadnefs, 
the  Mouth  of  jthe  Cell  where  they  lay  their  Eggs,  and 
to  fink  a  Trench  all  around  it ,  becauft  there  is  a  little 
black  Animal,  a  mortal  Enemy  to  their  Species,  who  o- 
pcns  himfelf  a  Paffage  under  Ground,  and  endeavours  to 
devour  their  Eggs  and  Young ;  to  prevent  which,  one  of 
the  Tribe  perpetually  keeps  Centry  on  the  Bank  of  the" 
Trench,  and  when  the  black  Animal  plunges  himfelf  in  to 
feek  his  Prey,  he  is  immediately  cut  ihort,   and  the  Neft, 

>  *  Gedartt 

,  by 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  127 

by  this  Precaution,  is  delivered  from  its  Invader.  If  the 
Centinel  finds  himfeif  afTaiilted  by  too  many  Enemies,  he 
^hen  throws  himfeif  into  thefe  winding  Paths ,  you  fee 
Iruek  out  under  Ground,  and  fo  evades  the  Danger.  But 
[  am  now  coming  to  the  mofr  fmgular  Piece  of  Dexterity 
kve  have  obferved  in  the  Condud  of  thefe  Animals,  and 
.vhich  we  difcovered  by  the  AlTiilance  of  a  Glafs  Bell,  un- 
ier  which  we  reared  ibme  of  thefe  Creatures,  in  a  Quantit/ 
:>£  Earth  fufficient  to  furnifli  us  with  our  Obfervations. 

At  the  Appi-oach  of  Winter,  the  Mole  Crickets  lemove 
he  Refervoir  which  contained  their  Eggs,  and  fmk  it  very 
leep  in  the  Earth,  always  taking  care  to  dig  it  lower  thiin 
he  Frod  can' penetrate.      When  the  mild  Seafon  comes  en, 
hey  raife  the  Magazine,    in  Proportion  to  the  Advances  of 
hat  favourable  Period,    and  at  laft  elevate  it  as  near  the 
lurface,    as  will  be  fufficient  to  make  it  fufceptible  of  tlie 
mprefTions  of  Air  and  Sun-fnine  :  And  ihould  the  Froit  re- 
am,   they  again  let  it  down  to  its  proper  Depth.      The 
ime  Method  is  pradlifed  by  the  Ants,  whofe 
liflory  I  am  now   to  give  you  ;    for  I  am     Ants. 
ot  fufEciently  acquainted   with  Mole-Cric- 
ets,    to  entertain  you  any  longer   on  that  Subjed.      Bat 
efore  1  begin,  I  would  afk  the  Ch^'ualier,  whether  we  are 
)  vifit  the  Ants,  in  the  Quality  of  indolent  Perfons,  for  In- 
:ru(8:ion,  or,   in  the  Capacity  of  CornioifTeurs,  for  Admi- 
ation  ? 

Che^,  I  underfland  you  perfe£lly  well.  Sir,  and  have 
een  informed  by  the  Proverbs  of  Solomon  *,  that  the  Idle 
ught  to  go  to  the  Ants,  to  learn  how  to  be  provident, 
erhaps  1  am  no  Sluggard ;  but  yet  where  is  the  Perfon 
'ho  has  no  Occafion  to  be  taught  a  prudent  Forecafl  ? 

Prior,  The  Sight  of  Ants  is  really  very  inftrudive. 
'hey  are  a  little  People  united,  like  the  Bees,  in  a  Re- 
ublick  governed  by  its  own  Laws  and  Politics  f .  They 
ave  a  Kind  of  oblong  City,  divided  into  various  Streets, 
lat  terminate  at  different  Magazines  J.  Some  of  the  Ants 
Dnfolidate  the  Earth,  and  prevent  its  falling  in,  by  a  Sur- 
Lce  of  Glew  with  which  they  incruft  it.  Thofe  whom 
e  commonly  fee,  amafs  feveral  Splinters  of  Wood,  which 

*  Prov.  vj.   6. 

'\-  Aldrovand.  de  Formicls.  Johnfton.  Thaumaturg.  Nat.  p.  356* 

X  Hiftory  of  the  Buccaneers  j  towards  the  End, 

G  4  they 


128         DIALOGUE   VIII. 

they  draw  over  the  Tops  of  their  Streets, 
Jhtir  Streets.       and  life  them  as  Rafters  to  fuftain  the  Roof; 

and  acrofs  thefe,  they  lay  another  Rank  of 
Splinters,  and  cover  them  with  a  Heap  of  dry  Rulhes, 
Grafs,  and  Straw,    which  they  raiie  with  a  double  Slope^ 

to  turn  the  Current  of  the  Water  from  t^eir 
Magazine.  Magazines ;    fome  of  which  are  appropriate 

cd  to  receive  their  Provifions,  and,  in  the 
others  they  d(^pofite  their  Eggs,  and  the  Worms  that  ipro^ 
ceed  from  them. 

As  to  their  Provifions,  they  take  up  with 
Provifv  ns.  every  Thing  eatable,    and  are  indefatigable 

in  bringing  home  their  Supplies.  You  may 
fee  one  loaded  with  the  Kernel  of  fome  Fruit,  another 
bends  under  the  Weight  of  a  dead  Gnat.  Sometirnes  feve* 
ral  of  them  are  at  work  on  the  Carcafs  of  a  May-Fly,  or 
fome  other  Infed.  What  can't  be  remov'd  they  eat  on  the 
Spot,  and  carry  home  all  that  is  capable  of  being  pre- 
ferved.  The  whole  Society  is  not  permitted  to  make  Ex- 
curfions  at  random.  Some  are  detached  as  Scouts,  to  get  : 
Intelligence,  and  according  to  the  Tidings  they  bring  ail 
the  Community  are  upon  the  March,  either  to  attack  a 
ripe  Pear,  a  Cake  of  Sugar,  or  a  Jar  of  Sweetmeats ;  and 
in  order  to  come  to  this  jar,  they  leave  the  Garden,  and 
nfcend  the  Houfe;  there  they  find  this  Mine  of  Sugar,  this 
rich  Pe-ru  of  Sv/eets,  that  opens  all  its  Treafures  to  their 
View;  but  their  March  to  it,  as  vvcll  as  their PvCturn  from 
it,  is  under  fome  Regulation.  The  whole  Band  is  ordered 
to  ailemble,  and  move  in  the  fame  Track,  but  the  Injun- 
ction is  not  executed  with  much  Severity,  and  they  have 
L  beity  to  expatiate,whenthey  have  an  Opportunity  to  fpring 
any  Game  in  the  Country.  The  green  Vermin,  that  make 
an  infinite  Waflc  among  the  Flowers,  and  cockle  the  Leaves 
of  the  Peach  and  Pear  Trees,  are  furroanded  with  a  Glew, 
or  Kind  of  Honey,  which  is  fought  for  by  the  Ants  with 
great  Avidity ;  but  they  are  not  follicitous  either  for  the 
Flefhofthefe  Creatures,  or  for  any  Part  of  the  Plant.  Thefe 
ae  the  V^ermin  who  are  the  Authors  of  all  that  Deflrud^ion  to 
our  Trees,  which  is  falfely  im.puted  to  the  Ants,  and  draws 
upon  them  a  very  unjuH  and  cruel  Perfecution. 

Their  next  prevailing  Palfion  is,  to  amafs  a  Store  of  Corn, 
or  other  Grain  that  will  keep ;  and  left  the  Humidity  of  the 

Cells 


Of  I  N  S  E  C  TS.  129 

Cells  fliould  make  the  Corn  fhoot  up,  we  are  told,  for  a 
Certainty,  that  they  gnaw  oiF  the  Buds  which  grow  at  the 
Point  of  the  Grain. 

I  have  feen  Ants  carry,  and  fometimes  pufh  before  them. 
Grains  of  Barley  and  Wheat,  much  larger  than  themfelves; 
but  I  never  could  find  out  their  Granary.  All  the  An- 
:ients  mention  it,  and  Aldrouandus  affures  us  he  had  feen  it, 
rheir  Labours,  as  well  as  their  Inclinations,  may  vary  ac- 
:ording  to  their  Species.  'Tis  likewife  probable  that  their 
\urelia's,  which  are  fometimes  yellow,  have  been  taken 
or  Grains  of  Corn  without  Buds,  and  fweiled  by  Moi- 
lure. 

The  Ants,  after  they  have  pafled  the  Summer  in  a  co»- 
tant  Employment  and  Fatigue,  Ihut  themfelves  up  in.  the 
Vinter,  and  enjoy  the  Fruits  of  their  Labours  in  Peace; 
owever,  it  is  very  probable,  they  eat  but  little  in  thatSea- 
Dn,  and  are  either  benumbed,  or  buried  in  Sleep,  like  a 
/lultitude  of  other  Infeds.  And  therefore  their  Indullry 
1  lloring  up  Provifions,  is  not  fo  much  intended  to  guard 
gainft  the  Winter,  as  to  provide,  during  the  Harvefl,  a 
eceffary  Suflenance  for  their  Young.  They  nourifli  them ' 
5  foon  as  they  leave  the  Egg,  with  an  Affiduity  that  em- 
loys  the  whole  Nation ;  and  the  Care  of  their  little  Pro- 
eny,  is  efleemed  a  Matter  of  Importance  to  all  the 
tate. 

When  the  Young  quit  the  Egg,  they  are  little  Worm?, 
0  longer  than  common  Grains  of  Sand  ^,  and  after  they 
ave,  for  fome  time  received  their  Aliment,  which  is 
rought  to  them  in  common,  and  diHributed  in  equal  Pro- 
ortions,  they  fpin  a  Thread,  and  wrap  themfelves  up  in 
whit^  VVeb,  and  fometimes  in  one  that  is  yellow ;  at 
hich  Period  they  ceafe  to  eat,  and  become  Aurelia's.  In 
lis  State,  fome  People  fancy  they  are  the  Eggs  of  Ants, 
hen,  in  Reality,  they  are  the  Nymphs,  out  of  whofe 
uins  the  new  Pifmires  are  to  rife.  Though  the  Young  dif- 
)ntinue  their  eating,  their  Nurture  (lill  proves  very  fatiguing 
>  their  Parents.  Thefe  have  generally  feveral  Apartments, 
id  remove  their  Young,  from  the  Nurfery,  to  fome  other 
lannon  which  they  intend  to  people.  They  either  raife 
le  Aurelia's  toward  the  Surface  of  the  Earili,  or  fmk  them 

*.Leuwenhoek*s  Arcan.  Nat,  Tom.  *.  &  Hi.  Ep.  iii, 

O  5  to 


130        DIALOGUE    VlII. 

to  a  diftance  from  it,  in  Proportion  as  the  Seafon  is  either 
warm  or  cold,  rainy  or  dry  *.  They  raife  them  when  the 
Weather  proves  ferene,  or  when  a  long  Drought  is  fucceed- 
ed  by  gentle  Dews;  hut,  at  the  Approach  of  Night  and 
Cold,  or  the  Appearance  of  Showers,  they  clafp  their  be- 
loved Charge  in  their  Arms,  and  defcend  with  them  to- 
fuch  a  Depth,  that  one  muft  then  dig  above  a  Foot  into  the 
Earth,  before  thofe  Aurelia's  can  be  dlfcovered  f. 

We  might  enlarge  on  many  other  Particulars  of  their 
Condua,  fuch  as  their  difperf.ng  themfelves  over  the 
Country,  their  Cuflom  of  removing  the  Dead  from  their 
Habitations,  their  Promptitude  in  affiiling  each  other  to 
carry  their  Burdens,  or  invade  their  Enemies.  A  long  De- 
fcription  might  likewife  be  given  of  the  fmall  Sting  they 
carry  in  the  Extremity  of  their  Bodies,  with  a  Bag  of  cor- 
roding Water  that  caufes  little  Tumours.  Much  might  be 
alfo  faid  of  their  Wings,  that  are  acquired  by  the  Males, 
at  a  certain  Age,  to  facilitate  their  Acquifition  of  Food, 
and  which  are  refufed  to  the  Females,  **  that  they  may  be 
more  fedentary,  and  better  devoted  to  domeilic  Cares ; 
but  the  Subjea  the  Che-oalter  has  chofen  for  our  Enter-  „ 
tainment  is  fo  extremely  agreeable,  that  it  would  be  an 
Injury  to  the  Company,  to  deprive  them  any  longer  of 
fo  much  Fleafure. 

Che-v.  After  ihe  Hiftory  of  the  Ant,  the  moll  natural 
Tranfiticn  is  to  that  of  the  Forraicaleo,  fo  called,  becaufe 
it  is  the  Lion,  or  moll  formidable  Enemy  to  the  Ant. 

Countefs,  Rather  call  it  the  Lion  Pifmire.  We  are 
Mailers  of  the  Terms,  at  lead  in  our  Academy. 

Che^v,  That  Name  is  perfedly  agreeable,  and  I  fhal! 
never  call  this  Creature  by  any  othef.  I  yeflerday  faw  a 
pretty  Pidure  of  one  of  them,  in  the  Priors  Apartment, 
that  reprefented  all  the  Changes  thro'  which  the  Creature 
paiTes.  I  am  tolerably  well  acquainted  with  the  whole 
Train  of  Particulars  j-,  but,  that  I  might  not  fatigue  the 
Company  wdth  frequent  Hefitations,   and  lefl  I  ihould  for- 

*  Klfl.  Gener.  des  Infect  par  Swamm.  p.j62. 

■f  Lcwthorp's  Abridgment,  Tom.  ii.  p.  7.  &  9. 

**i  think,  however,  that  I  have  oblerved  the  whole  Tribe  cf  an 
Ant-hill  lurnifhcd  v^'ith  Wings,  and  fbrfaking  their  lubteiraneous 
Abode. 

1  M*  Aubriet  delTinat^  au  Jardin Royal. 

get 


I'^i^jS  /^.  J'/uu^ejfx 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  .  151 

get  any  necefTary  Circumftance,  I  have  committed  the 
whole  to  V/riting,  and  this  Morning  communicated  it  to 
the  Prior,  who  has  touch'd  it  up  with  his  own  Hand; 
which  I  defij  e  may  be  remembered. 

Countefs,  The  Gentleman  delivers  himfelf  in  fuch  a  na- 
tural Air,  as  is  worthy  to  introduce  jhe  moil  entertaining 
Hiilory. 

Che^.  The  Lion  Pifmire  is  as  long  as  the 
common  Palmer*,  but  fomething  thicker;     Lion  Pifmires. 
it  has  a  very  long  Head,    and  the  Body 
grows   round   as   it  lengthens  towards  the 
Tail.      The  Animal    is    of  a  dark  Grey,     Their  Shape, 
marked  with  black  Spots.     Its  Body  is  com- 
pofed  of  {everal  fiat  Rings,    that  Hide  over  one  another. 
It  has   fix  Feet,    four  of  which  are  inferted  in  the  Breaft, 
and  two  in  the  Neck.     Its  Head  is  fmall  and  flat,   and 
from  the  fore  Part  of  it,  two  little  Horns  fhoot  out :  I'heie 
are  fmooth  and  hard,   extend  two  Twelfths 
of  an  Inch  in  Length,  and  bend  like  Hooks     Inftruments. 
in  the  Extremity.      Towards  the  Bafe  of 
thefe  Horns,    appear  two  fmall  Eyes,  very  black  and  live- 
ly,   and  which  are  extreamly  ferviceable  to  the  Creature, 
for  he  ftarts  from  the  fmalleil  Objeds  he  difcovers.     Other 
Animals  are  furniflied  with  Wings,  cr  Feet  at  leafc,  to  make 
them  expeditious  in  the  Purfuit  of  their  Prey ;     but  this  is 
only  capable  of  marching  backwards.     He  never  follows 
his  Prey,    and  would  fooner  dye  than  advance  a  Step  to- 
wards it.     The  Prey  muil  come  to  him,    and  he  is  gifted 
with  the  Secret  of  making  it  fall  into  the  Ambufcade  he 
has  prepared.     This  is  the  only   Method  he  has  for  his 
Subfiilence,  and  is  all  the  Science  he  is  Mailer  of;  but  how- 
ever it  fuinces  for  his  Purpofe. 

He  chufes  for  himfelf  a  Bed  of  dry  Sand, 
at  the  Foot  of  a  Wall,  or  under  fome  Shel-     The  Trench, 
ter,  that  the  Rain  may  not  difconcert  his 
Work.     He  is  obliged  to  make  ufe  of   Sand,  and  of  the 
dryeft  he  can  get,  becaufe  a  folid  Soil,    as  well  as  a  moift 
Sand,     would  not  prove   tradable  under    his  Operations. 
When  he  intends  to  hollow  the  Trench  where  he  enfnares 
his  Game,  he  bends  the  hinder  Part  of  his  ^^^^^    w^iich 

*  Memoirs  dv  TAcadsm.  dis  Scienc.  MenleurPoipart;  1704. 

G  6  |aper« 


132        DIALOGUE.   VIIL 

tapers  into  a  Point,    and  then  plunges  it,    like  a  Plough^' 
Ihare,  into  the  Sand,  which  he  throwb  up  m  his  Rear,  with  a 
backward  Motion  of  his  Body;   and  thus,    by  repeating 
his  Efforts,    and  taking  feveral  Rounds,    he  at  M  traces 
out  a  circular  Furrow,  whofe  Diameter  always  equals  the    . 
Depth  to  which  he  intends  to  link  it.     Near  the  Edge  oF 
the  firil  Farrow,  he  opens  a  fecond,  and  then  a  third,  and 
fcveral  others,  which  are  fjnailer  than  the  preceding,  and 
finks   himielf    from  time  to  time,    deeper  m  the  Sand, 
which  he  throws  afide  with  his  Horns,    on  the  Edges   of 
the  Farrows,    and  to  a  much  greater  Diilance,     always 
marching   backward   in    a    fpiral  Line.      The  repeating 
Strokes  of   his  Head,    whirl  the  Sand  out  of  the  Circle, 
and  gradually  fcoop  :out  a  Cavity,    in  which  Operation  he 
exceeds  the  befl  Engineers ;  He  defcnbes  a  perfed  Circle, 
and  draws  out  a  Volute,  without  the  Affiftance  of  a  pair 
of   CompalTes.      He  likewife   gives  the   Slope  of   Earth 
which  he  hollows,  all  pollible  Solidity.     In  this  dexterous 
and  indefatigable  Manner  he  compleats  his  Trench,  which 
refembles    a  Cone   reverfed,    or  rather   the   mfide  of   a 

Funnel.  ^    ,       ,    ,     t 

When  this  Creature  is  newly  hatchea,   he  opens  a  very 
fmall  Furrow,    but  when  he  increafes  in  Balk,    he  digs  one 
more  fpacious,  the  Cavity  of  which  may  contain  two  inches 
or  mere  in  Diameter,  and  as  many  in  Depth.     When  the 
Work  is  compleated,   he  forms  his  Ambufcade,  and  con- 
ceals himfelf  under  the  Sand,    in  fuch  a  Manner,   that  his 
Horns  exaaiy  wind  round  the  Point  in  which  the  Bottom 
of  the  Funnel  terminates.     In  this  Situation,    he  watches 
for  his  Prey,  '  and  woe  to  the  Ant,    the  Palmer,    or  any 
other  Infea  who  isfo  indifcreetas  toplay  round  the  Edge  of 
this  Precipice,  which  deicends  in  a  Slope,   and  that  too  in 
the  Sand,  to  give  a  Downfal  to  the  little  Animals  who  are 
too  incautious  in  their  Approaches.      'Ti^  for  the*  fenvale 
Ant  that  the  Lion-Pifmire  thus  adjuils  his  Kitchen.     She  is 
not  aided  with  Wings,   like  the  Generality  of  Infeds,    to 
difenp-age  herfelf  from  this  Cavern,  but  then  fhe  is  not  the 
only  Frey,  for  other  Animals  are  alfo  deilroyed  by   the 
Dexterity  of  this  Hunter.  When  he  knows  by  the  fall  of  fome 
Grains  of  Sand,  that  a  Prize  is  near,  he  flirinks  back  and 
moves  the  Sand  which  immediately  rolls  to  the  Bottom  with 
the  Prey,    If  this  Prey  has  Agility  enough  to  be  capable 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  t^f 

of  remounting  in  an  Inftant,  and,  with  this  Advantage, 
is  likewife  affifted  with  Wings,  the  Lion-Pifmire  whirls  a 
Quantity  of  Sand  into  the  x^ir,  above  the  Height  of  the 
flying  Animal.  This  is  a  dreadful  Shower  of  Stones,  to 
fuch  a  tender  Creature  as  a  Gnat,  or  an  Ant.  The  unfor- 
tunate Infec^l,  blinded  and  overwhelmed  in  this  Manner, 
by  the  Tern  pell  that  pours  down  from  every  Quarter,  and 
hurried  away  by  the  Inftability  of  the  Sand  that  rolls 
from  under  her  Feet,  falls  between  the  Saws  of  her  Enemy, 
who  plunges  them  into  her  Body,  drags  her  under  the  Sand, 
and  thenfeafls  upon  the  Vi6lim.  And  when  nothing  is  left, 
but  the  Carcafs  drained  of  all  its  Juices,  he  is  particular- 
ly ^reful  to  remove  it  out  of  Sight,  The  Appearance  of 
a  dead  Body  would  deprive  him  of  future  Vifits,  and  bring 
his  Place  of  Refidence  under  a  bad  Reputation :  he  there- 
fore extends  his  Horns,  and  with  a  fudden  Spring,  tofles 
the  Slain  half  a  Foot  beyond  the  Trench ;  and  if  this 
fhould  happen  to  be  difconcerted  and  filled  up,  by  fuch  an 
Expedition,  or  if  the  Aperture  becomes  too  large  for  the 
Depth,  and  the  Declivity  lofes  its  proper  Slant,  he  repairs 
the  whole  with  all  Speed;  he  rounds,  he  deepens,  he  clears 
the  Cavity,  and  then  watches  for  a  new  Prey. 

A  Hunter's  ProfeiTion,  they  fay,  general- 
ly requires  Patience,    and  the  Lion-Pifmire     His  Patience, 
has  as  large  a  Share  of  this  Quality,    as  he 
has  of   Craft.     He  fometimes  pafles  whole  Weeks    and 
Months,    without  Motion,    and,   what  is  moil  furprifmg, 
without  Fooditfelf. 

His  Abflinence,  which  is  very  ferviceable  to  him,  is  fo 
extraordinary,  that  I  have  known  him  live  above  fix 
Months  in  a  Box  exadly  clofed  up,  and  where  he  had  no 
other  Accommodation  than  Sand.  I  have  feen  them  com- 
pleat  their  Work  as  ufual,  and  then  change  into  Nymphs 
like  others,  whom  I  have  carefully  nourifhed.  'Tis  true, 
thofe  who  eat,  improve  both  in  Growth  and  Vigour. 

V/hen  he  has  attained  a  certain  Age,  and  would  under- 
go a  State  of  Renovation,  in  order  to  appear  in  his  lall 
Form,  he  then  troubles  himfelf  no  more  with  his  Trench, 
but  begins  to  work  in  the  Sand,  where  he  flrikes  out  a 
Multitude  of  irregular  Tracks,  ^nd  certainly  engages  in 
this  Labour,  in  order  to  warm  himfelf  into  a  Sweat;  after 
wiiich  he  plunges  into  the  Sand,  and  the  vifcous  Hu- 
midity 


134        DIALOGUE    VIII. 

niidity  which  flows  from  every  Part  of  his  Body,  fixes  and 
unites  all   the  Grains  he  touches.      With 
His  Tomb.  thefe  fandy  Particles,    and   the  dried  Glew 

that  confolidates  them,    he  forms  a  Crufl 
which  encompaiTes  his  whole  Body,  like  a  little  Ball  of  five 
or  fix  Twelfths  of  an  Inch  in  Diameter,  in  which  the  Ani- 
mal referves  himfelf  a  competent  Space  for  Motion.      He 
is  not  (atisfied  with  a  bare  Wall,    which  would  inevitably 
chill  him,    but  (pins  out  of  his  own  Bowels,    a  Thread, 
which,    in  finenefs,   infinitely  furpafifes   that   of  the  Silk- 
worm,, which  we  have  fo  much  admired.      This  Thread 
he  faflens,  firfl  to  one  Place,    and  then  extends  it  to  a  fe- 
cond.  Hill  crofiing  and  interlacing  it .    By  thefe   meansJie 
hangs  all  his  Apartment  with  a  Sattin  tinged  with  the  Co- 
lour of  Pearls,    and  perfedly  beautiful  and  delicate.      In 
this  Work  all  the  Propriety  and  Convenience  is  confined  to 
the  Infide,    for  nothing  appears  without  but  a  little  Sand, 
which  confounds  and  incorporates   the  Manfion  with  the 
contiguous  Earth.     And  now  he  lyes   fecreted^  from  the 
Purfuit  of  ill  difpofed  Birds ;  he  rells  in  Oblivion,  and  lives 
in  perfedl  Tranquillity ;  whereas  he  would  infallibly  be  loft,, 
were  the  Outfide  of  this  Habitation  ornamental  enough  to 
attraft  the  View  of  any  Creature,  whofe  Curiofity  might 
prove  injurious  to  him. 

In  this  manner  he  lives,  fecluded  from  the  World,  fix 
Weeks  or  two  Months,  and  fometimes  more,  and  then 
divefts  himfelf  of  his  Eyes,  his  Horns,  his  Paws,  and  Skin. 
His  Spoils  fink  to  the  Bottom  of  the  Ball,  like  a  Heap  of 
Rags;  all  that  now  remains  is  a  Nymph,  wha  has  other 
Eyes,  and  Paws,  other  Entrails  and  Wings  enfolded  with 
a  Skin,  and  hid  in  a  nutrimental  Liquor  that  gradually 
dries  around  her,  in  the  fame  Manner  as  is  cuftomary  with 
all  Papilio's,  when  they  dived  themfelves  of  their  vernicu- 
lar  Spoils,  to  afFume  the  Form  of  Aurelia's.  When  the 
Limbs  of  the  new  Animal  have  acquired  their  neceffary 
Tone  and  Aftivity,  he  tears  away  the  Tapeftry  of  his 
Apartment,  and  pierces  through  the  Walls;  for  which 
Purpofe  he  employs  a  couple  of  Teeth,  like  thofe  with 
which  the  Grafhopper  is  lurnifhed.^  And  now  he  makes 
his  Efforts,  enlarges  the  Opening,  thrufls  out  half  his 
Body,  and  at  lall  entirely  quits  his  folitary  Seat.  His 
long  Form,  that  winds  like  the  Volute  of  an  Ionic  Capi- 
tal, 


0/  I  N  S  E  C  T  S.  125 

tal,  and  poffeffes  only  three  Twelfths  of  an  Inch  in  Space, 
begins  to  unfold  and  extend  itfelf,  and,  in  an  Inilant,: 
ftretches  to  the  Length  of  an  Inch  and^  three  or  four 
Twelfths.  His  four  Wings,  that  were  contraded  in  little 
Folds,  and  whofe  Dimenfions,  did  not  exceed  two  Twelfths 
of  an  Inch,  in  the  Film  that  fheathed  them,  begin  to  be 
expanded,  and,  in  the  Space  of  two  Minutes,  fVioot  into 
a  greater  Length  than  the  whole  Body.  In  a  Word,,  the 
malignant  Lion-Pifmire  aflumes  the  Form  of  a  large  and 
beautiful  Dragon-Fly,  who  after  llie  has  for  fome  time  coxir 
tinued  immoveable  and  aftonifhed  at  the  glorious  Profpeft 
of  Nature,  flatters  her  Wings,  and  enjoys  a  Liberty  with 
which  fhe  was  unacquainted  in  the  Obfcurity  of  her  former 
State;  and  as  {he  has  caft  off  the  Spoils  of  her  firfl  Form, 
fo  Ihe  is  likewife  diverted  of  her  cumberfome  Weight,  as 
well  as  her  Barbarity  and  pernicious  Inclinations.  In  fine, 
Ihe  appears  entirely  a  new  Creature,  is  all  Gaiety  and  Vi- 
gour, graced,  at  the  fame  time,  with  a  noble  and  ma* 
jeftick  Air. 

Along  the  Edges  of  Handing  Waters,  one  may  find  o- 
ther  Animals,  like  this  in  Form,  *  but  painted  with  Co- 
lours much  more  radiant  and  lively,  and  their  Original  is 
alfo  very  different.  The  Infed  that  arifes  from  the  Lion- 
Pifmire,  lays  her  Eggs  in  the  Sand,  that  her  Young  may 
be  fupplied  with  Foocl  when  it  forfakes  the  Egg.  Sand  is 
ho  Part  of  its  Suflenance,  but  then  it  facilitates  its  Manner 
of  Life.  The  Creature  immediately  fmks  a  commodious 
Trench,  and  in  lefs  than  an  Inftant,  becomes  compleatly 
fKilled  in  Hunting  and  Geometry.  The  other  Dragon- 
Fly,  that  flutters  along  the  Surface  of  Ponds,  plunges  the 
Extremity  of  her  Body  into  the  Water,  and  there  depofites 
her  Eggs.  The  Animals  that  iflue  from  them,  inhabit  the 
fluid  Element  for  fome  time;  after  which  they  aflTume  a 
new^  Figure,  and  live  upon  the  Earth  in  the  Form  of  Aure- 
lia's ;  but  I  am  not  fufficiently  acquainted,  either  wuh  the 
Manner  of  Life,  or  Tranfmigration  of  this  lail  Animal,  of 
which  there  are  feveral  Species. 

Countefs.  I  adviie  you  to  inform  yourfelf  of  their 
Hillory,  for  it  mufl  certainly  be  very  entertaining, 
if  it  prove  as  agreeable   as  that   of  the  Lion-Pifmire; 

*  M.  Aubrjet  deiBnat.  au  Jardin  Royal, 

aa4 


ig6       D  I  A  t.  O  G  U  E    VIIL 

and  you  have  my  Thanks  for   chufing   fuch  a   pleafant 

Subjea.  ,     ^    .      ^    ^ 

Che<v,  This  Compliment  belongs  to  the  Pnor,  for  I  owe 
all  my  Materials  to  his  Generofity. 

Countefs.  I  thought  to  acquit  my felf  in  my  Turn;  but 
what  I  have  to  offer  may  prevent  the  Che^alter\  intended^ 
Walk;  and  therefore,  I  hope,  you  will  give  me  Credit 
'till  To-morrow,  and  the  AfTembly,  if  you  pleafe,  Ihall 
be  held  in  my  Apartment, 


^he  End  of  the  eighth  Dialogue.. 


TESTA- 


Of  Testaceous  Animals.        i^jr 


rESTACEous  Animals. 


Dialogue   IX. 

T^he  Count  and  Countess^ 
The  Prior,  and 
"The  Chevalier. 

Zountefs,  T    E  T  us  walk  in. 

•fi— ^    Count.  To  what  Purpofe,  Madam,  are  aU 
hoie  Glaffes  fo  agreeably  difpofed  ? 

Countefs,  They  are  a  little  Collation,  I  have  prepared 
or  your  Entertainment. 

^  Count,  I  perceive  a  Set  of  Sea-Mufcles  kid  on  a  little 
3ed  of  Sand  in  the  Water.  Are  we  then  to  have  thefe  in- 
lead  of  frelh  Oyfters  ?  The  Regale  is  fomething  new. 

Countefs,,  It  is  much  better  than  your  Lordfhip  imagines, 
ind  I  am  very  fure  I  (hall  have  your  Thanks  for  pro- 
dding it.  Do  you  fee  nothing  particular  in  the 
Vlulcles  ? 

Prior,  I  obferve  oije  quite  open,  and  faftened  with  fe- 
deral Strings,  to  a  little  Clod.  One  would  be  apt  to  take 
t  for  a  Tent  in  Miniature,  with  all  its  Apendages  of  Cords 
md  Stakes.  ^ 

Count,  I  fee  too  others,,  that  are  likewife  fix'd  to  the 
l^elTels  with  fewer  Threads.  This  is  fomething  extraor- 
Imary,  and  her  Ladyfhip  certainly  defigns  to  Ihew  us  a 
Set  of  Spinfters.  , 

Countefs,  That  is  the  very  Af^ir,  and  the  Thought  oc- 
:urred  to  me,  when  you  entertain^  the  Chevalier  with  the 
^\ork  of  Caterpillars,  and  Spiders;  they  were  Land  Spin- 
ters,  but  there  are  otiiers  peculiar  to  the  Sea  :  I  had  an  ac- 
ndental  View  of  them,  and  was  defirous  of  procuring  you 
;ne  fame  Entertainment.  Che^v. 


,38        DIALOGUE    IX. 

'chcv.   For  once.  Madam,   you  are  «"'  of  your  Pro- 
vince;   this  is  neither  your  Garden,   nor  the  Nurfery  of 

your  Doves  and  Poultry.  »„  ^„  Trifrlipn 

^  Counters.  Very  true;  but  then  it  belongs  to  ^7  ^''^f  !"; 
Six  or  feven  Days  ago,  my  Steward  paid  the  Ripier*  for 
ftmeFirheha'd  ca'ught.  '  I  flopped  a  few  Monxents,  to 
obrerve  a  Heap  of  Mufcles  that  had  been  delivered  to  the 
Cook,  and  was  furprifed  to  fee  feveral  little  Packets  of 
Thre  d ;  upon  which  the  Rtpier,  with  the  ufual  Pohtenefs 
of  tho(b  PeU,  gave  me  to  underftand,  that  the  Mufc le^ 
could  not  poffibly  be  without  it,  and  that  it  i:erved  them 
inttead  of  a  Cable,  to  keep  them  fteddy  in  their  Mooring. 
This  Information,  I  fancied,  might  produce  fometh.ng 
agreeable  to  you,  and  therefore  1  ordered  him.  when  he 
cLe  next,  to  bring  me  a  coup  e  of  ^Jone  >>•? /^^^^^^^^^f 
Water,  with  a  little  Sand,  aad  fome  live  Mufcles  upon  it 
He  acquitted  himfelf  of  his  Commiffion  very  well,  and 
came  fooner  than  I  expefted.  I  dittributed  Ae  Water,  as 
well  as  the  Sand  and  Spinfters,  into  different  GlaiTes  in  or- 
der to  obferve  the  Event;  and  you  may  now  fee  three  or 
four  of  thefe  Creatures  at  work.  They  certain  y  fpin  the 
Threads  you  obferve,  and  which  were  not  yifible  till  Ye- 
fterday.  With  thefe  Threads  they  fallen  thetnfelves,  ei- 
ther  to  fome  Part  of  the  Veffel,  or  elfe  to  the  Sand,  by  a' 
natural  Habit,  and  to  prevent  the  Water  from  walhing 
them  away ;  but  how  they  make  this  Thread,  1  can  t  pol- 
fibly  comprehend.  . 

Count.    Can  you,    my  worthy  Prior,    diftmguifli  any 
thing  particular  in  the  Work?  r  „  ^,  r 

Prior.   I  obferve,  in  the  three  firft  Glaf- 
Tbe  Mufcle.-       fes  *,    that  the  Mufcle  thrufts  out  of  her 

Shells  a  kind  of  Trunk,  or  Tongue,  with 
which  fhe  feems  to  be  making  Trials  of  the  properell 
Places  where  to  fix  their  Thread. 

Count.  I  have  heard,  that  all  Shell-Filh, 

The  Toneue    of  the  fame  Nature  with  the  Mufcle,    hava 

of  the  Mufcle.     a  kind  of  Trunk,    and  have  frequently  feen 

it,  even  thofe  that  have  been  boil'd.     I 

*  A  Ripier  is  one  who  brings  Fifll  from  the  Sea-Coafts  to  the  In- 
land Parts. 
t  Memoirs  del' Academ.  dw  Scienc.  Monfieur  de  Reaumur,  711. 
'  know 


J. 


A 


A .  JitT/te  ScuZ/i/. 


I 


JA^  J^ea  //l/uc/c  andPtmna  7?7^nna 


■J^r/V'.^;?  7W.Z/7<^c-J38 


Tan^u^jo?ynm^  a  Jtm^ ^('^/tan/ie/.  Ji.  /5^  Thread  mAzcA  tA£  Jfu/^'/^yhyn^  n^i£/i  he^  rtm^u^  a/td  e/l£ny 


Of  Testaceous  Animals/        139 

know  this  Trunk  performs  the  Office  of  a  Foot,   and  en- 
ables thefe  Creatures  to  move ;    they  can  likewife  extend 
it,  above  an  Inch  and  half,    out  of  their  Shells,   and  glew 
it  to  the  Sand,    but  in  what  Manner,    I  am  not  able  to  de- 
clare;   after  which  they  immediately  fhorten  it,    and  by 
thefe  Means,    move  their  litde  Habitation, 
and  are  capable  of  transferring  it  fucceffive-     Their  Motion. 
\y  from  one  Place  to  another.     But  I  per- 
ceive this  Trunk  is  ferviceable  to  them  in  another  Indance, 
and  her  Ladyfhip  feems  to  have  guefled  it  extremely  well. 
It  is  not  fufficient,    that  the  Animal  finds  Juices  proper  for 
its  Nourifhment,    it  muft  likewife  be  able  to  ^yi  itfelf,  in 
order  to  enjoy  the  Benefit  of   the  Aliment ;    but,   defence- 
lefs  as  it  is,  the  firft  Blaft  of  Wind,  or  the  leaft  Agitation  of 
the  Waves,  which  are  commonly  in  Motion,    along  the 
Coalb  where  fhe  finds  her  Provifion,  would  hurry  her  to  a 
great  DiHance  in  an  Inftant ;    and  therefore^  thefe  Strings^ 
in  what  Manner   foever   they  are   made, 
were  given  her  to  faflen  and  keep  herfelf    The  Thread, 
(teddy.     Let  us  fee  if  we  can  difcover  the 
Mechanifm  of  her  Work.     Methinks  I  per-     Its  Mechanifin^ 
:eive  it;    let  us  have  a  little  Patience;    for, 
[  hope  by  the  AfTiflance   of  this  Microfcope,    to  give  you 
1  good  Account  of  the  Matter.     I  fee  a  kind  of  Channel 
3r  Furrow,    run  from  one  End  of  her  Trunk  to  the  other. 
The  Mufcle  has  brought  the  Sides  of  it  together,    and 
x)rmed  it  into  a  Tube,  and  a  Drop  of  Liquor   is  jufl  now 
yeded  out  of  the  Extremity,  that  touches  the  Place  fhe  is 
ixed  to. 

Frlor.  That  is  very  evident.  The  Drop  has  now  afTum- 
jd  a  round  Form,  and  begins  to  thicken. 

Count.  I  am  apt  to  think,  that  the  whole  Trunk  is  a$ 
)liable  as  a  thin  Sheet  of  Lead,  and  rolls  thro'  its  entire 
^ength,  into  a  round  Form;  whofe  internal  Sides  not 
)eing  drawn  fo  clofe  together  as  to  conftitute  a  Solidity,. 
^  little  Chanel  is  left  in  the  Middle,  through  which  the 
jum,  that  forms  the  Strings,  is  projeded ;  and  this  Gum 
3  fhaped  in  the  Cavity  of  the  Trunk,  like  a  Wax  Taper 
n  a  Mould. 

Frior,  That  muft  certainly  be  true,  for  you  may  now 
se  all  the  Trunk  unfold  itfelf,  and  return  to  a  Fiat.  The 
.iquor,  which  is  condenfed  in  the  Chanel,    is  difengagei 

from 


f 40         D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E     IX. 

from  the  Mould,  by  bringing  the  Tongue  to  its  primitive 
Form  ;  and  yoH  may  now  fee  a  new  Cord  made,  one  End 
of  which  is  inferted  in  the  Stomach,  from  whence  it  pro- 
ceeds, and  the  other  terminates  in  the  Subilance  to  which 

it  is  fallened.  ,    n    ^^ 

Count,  It  is  plain  the  Animal  is  not  yet  fufhciently  Iteddy, 
for  I  fee  the  Trunk  extended  anew,  and  direded  from- 
Place  to  Place,  in  order  to  six  another  Thread.  Let  us 
purfae  her  through  all  her  Motions. 

Che-v.  This  is  a  Trunk  that  furnifhes  the  Mufcle  with 
feveral  Advantages :  It  is  a  Leg,  to  affiil  her  in  her  Pro- 
i^refs;  a  Tongue,  to  i^elifh  the  Juices  fhe  tailes,  and  a 
Mould  to  fliape  the  Thread  for  her  fallening. 

Count.  I  begin  to  be  perfuaded  that  her  Threads  are 
formed  in  the  Manner  we  have  reprefented,  and  can  now 
comprehend  how  the  great  Sea  Mufcle  is  able,  with  a  finer 
Inlxrument,  to  form  Threads  more  valuable  than  Silk  it- 
felf,  and  with  which  the  Siciliafis  make  Stuffs  of  incom-^ 
parable  Beauty. 

Che-o.  Bat  here  arifes  a  Difficulty.  When  the  Mufcle- 
has  eaten,  or  fucked  up  all  that  is  proper  for  her  in  one- 
place,  how  does  Ihe  difengage  herfelf?  Thefe  Threads  muft' 
then  be  inconvenient  to  her. 

Count.  The  Chen^aUer  reafons  very  juftly ;    but  I  have 
not  feen  the  whole  SuccelTion  of  this  Piece  of  Work,    and 
confequently  have   nothing  pofitive   ta  offer  as  a  Solution 
-  of  the  Difficulty  ;  but  it  is  certain,  that  the  Mufcles  have  ^ 
progrelfive  Motion,  and  can  transfer  themfelves  from  Place 
to  Place.     From  whence  I  conclude,    that  as  they  have  a 
Magazine  of  vifcous  Matter,  with  which  they  form   their 
Threads,  and  fallen  them,.,  at  one  End,    to  a   Stone,   fo 
Nature  has  alfo  fupplied  them  with  a    diffolvent   Fluids 
which  they  pour,  as  they  have  Oecafion,  on  the  Extremity 
of  their  Corda,  or  they  have  fome  other  indullrious  Me- 
thod of  reftoring  themfelves  to  Liberty,    in  order  to  fix 
up  their  Tent  in  another  Situation.     They  may  poffibly 
pafs  their  whole  Life  in  one  and   the  fame   Place,    like 
Oyilers.     1  fhould  be  glad  to  live  at  a  lefs  Diftance  from^ 
the  Sea.     It  is  another  World  we  are  but  little  acquainted^ 
with,  and,  by  our  Succefs  in  the  Experiment  with  which 
ker  Ladyftiip  has  entertained  us,     I  am    perfuaded  one 

might  make  fevexal  curious  Difcoveries. 

Counteis. 


0/ Testaceous  Animals.        141 

Counters,  If  we  were  to  live  :near  the  Coalls  that  pro- 
duce the  large  Sea  Mufcles,  inftead  of  the  Manufadurers 
of  grofs  Thread,  I  would  have  ihewn  you  a  Set  of  Silk 
Spinfters ;  the  Sight  of  their  Work  would  have  been  an 
extraordinary  Curiofity ;  but  what  Advantage  may  one 
derive  from  it  ? 

Count,  ^  I  have  feen  Gloves  of  this  Silk.;  they  are  made 
at  Palermo,  and  'tis  net  impoflible  to  procure  you  fome. 

Prior,  I  have  feen  Gloves  made  of  a  very  different 
Silk. 

Count efs.  What  Sort? 

Prior.  The  Silk,  or  Thread  of  a  Spider.  The  Gentle- 
men of  the  Academy  at  Montpelier ,  fent  them  to  be 
examined  by  the  Academy  of  Sciences;  and  m  a  little 
Time  after,  with  the  fame  Materials,  they  wove  Stockings 
and  Mittans.,  that  were  prefented  to  the  Dutchefs  of  Bur- 
gundy. 

Countefs,  Since  this  Thread  is  fo  common,  why  have 
they  not  erefted  it  into  a  Manufadure  ? 

Prior,  This    was  one    of   the  Attempts    of   Monfieur 
Reaumur,  who  is  generally  ftriking  into  new  Projefts,  that 
are  very  happy  and  important,  even  on  the  moll  common 
and  negleaed  Subjeds.     I^his  Gentleman  endeavoured  to 
colled  a  large  Number  ^f  thefe  Infeds,    and  caufed  them 
to  be  fed  with  Flies,  and   the   Ends  of  young  Feathers, 
newly  plucked  from  Chickens  and  Pidgeons,  becaufe  fuch 
Feathers  are  full  of  Blood,  and  eafy  to  be  procured,   and 
they  are  likewife  a  delicious  Regale  for  the  Spiders.    But 
he  was  foon  convinced,  that  all  his  Care  to  nourifh  them 
with  their  moll  palatable  Food,  was  ineffeaual ;  for  there 
is  fuch  a  Malignity  in  their  Difpofitions,  when  a  Number 
of  them   are  together,  that  they  facriiice  all  other  Atten- 
tions to  their  natural  Animofities,  and  are  perpetually  en- 
deavouring  to  devour  one   another.     You  fee  then,  thefe 
are  a  People  incapable  of  being  eilablifhed  into  a  Commu- 
nity ;  and  tho'  it  were  pradicable  to  unite  them  in  a  Ma- 
liufadure,   it   would  require   too  much    Room   and  Ap- 
plication to   rear  a  competent    Number.    We  may  add 
to  this,  that   their  Thread  is  five  Times  finer   than  that 
of  a  Silk-V/orm,    and,    by  a  juil    Computation,    there 

*  Memoirs ,de  r Academ.  cksScknc.  J710.  p.  3861 


142  DIALOGUE     IX. 

mud  be  fixty  Thoufand  Spiders  to  produce  one  Pound  of 
it ;  beiides,  it  is  not  certain  that  there  is  any  PoiTibility  of 
manufaduring  their  commdn  Thread  ;  for  that  which  has 
hitherto  been  tiied,  is  what  they  wrap  their  Eggs  in,  and 
four  Times  as  llrong  as  the  Thread  of  their  Web.  In  a 
Word,  Madam,  from  the  Refult  of  all  thefe  Experiments, 
I  doubt  you  muft  never  expedl  to  be  well  ftocked  with 
Gloves  of  this  Manuiadure. 

Countefs.  I  find  then  I  muft  fupply  jnyfelf  elfewhere. 
Chenj,  I  can  eafily  comprehend  how  the  Mufcle,  with 
the  Affiflance  of  her  Trunk,  can  move  and  ilop  as  fhe 
pleafes^  but  I  lately  took  a  Snail  from  a  Vine  Leaf  that 
hung  at  the  Window,  and  faw  him  march  without  any 
Trunk,  or  Legs,  to  advance  him  in  his  Way.  Pray  how 
is  this  performed  ? 

Countefs.  lam  iikewife  in  Pain,  to  know  how  the  Snail, 
the  Mufcle,  and  all  Sorts  of  teftaceous  Animals,  build  the 
Houfe  they  always  carry  about  them,  and  in  what  Manner 
they  retire,  when  one  touches  them  never  fo  tenderly. 

Prior,  I  have  fometimes  examined  the  Stru(fi:ure  of  a 
Snail  svith  much  Attention,  and  can  give  you  the  Hiftory 
of  all  that  belongs  to  him,  except  the  Formation  of  the 
Shell,  which  I  referve  for  his  Lordlhip. 

Here  we  are  no  longer  entertained  with 
The  Snail.  Plumes,  nor  Hair,  nor  Cones  of  Silk.  This 

is  a  new  Order  of  Being,  wherein  the  In- 
tentions are  very  different.  Every  Anim.al  in  Nature  has 
an  Habitation,  and  each  Apartment  its  particular  Beauties 
and  Accommodations.  Tiie  Roof  under  which  the  Snail 
refides,  comprehends  two  Advantages,  which,  one  would 
imagine,  were  incapable  of  being  united,  I  mean  an  ex- 
traordinary Solidity,  and  an  uncommon  Lightnefs,  By 
means  of  which  the  Animal  is  protedled  from  all  Injury, 
and  eafily  transfers  her  Houfe  where  Ihe  pleafes ;  and  in 
what  Country  foever  Ihe  travels,  is  always  at  Home.    At 

the  Approach  of  the  Cold,  *  ihe  retires  into 
Her  Retreat.         fome   Cavity,^  and  her  Body  diftils  a  certain 

Glew  that  condenfes  at  the  Aperture  of  the 
Shell,  and  entirely  clofes  it  up.  When  fhe  is  thus  ihrouded 
ihe  paiTes  the  difagreeable  Seafon,  like  a  Number  of  other 

^  Memoirs  de  TAcadeni.  dcs  Scienc.  1709. 

Creatures, 


y^fiai/j 


/..  //.u./;„/^. 


0/ Testaceous    Animals.       143 

features,  free  from  all  Pain  and  Want.  When  the  Spring 
saints  the  Earth  with  a  new  Bloam  of  Flowers,  the  Snail 
)pens  her  Door,  and  feeks  her  Fortune  ,•  at  wJiich  Time 
/l  her  NecefTities  revive  with  her  Appetite  ;  but  m  her 
Teepincr  Progrefs,  md  charg'd  as  fhe  is  with  the  Weight 
)f  her  Apartment,  if  her  Eyes  were  funk  as  low  as  the 
lody  (he  trails  along  the  Ground,  fhe  could  not  perceive 
he  Obieds  fhe  ought  either  to  avoid,  or  approach,  and 
vould  at  leaft  be  perpetually  liable  to  plunge  and  foil  hex 
?yes  in  the  Dirt ;  to  prevent  which  Inconvenience,  Nature 
fas  fupplied  her  with  four  Telefcopes,  to  affift  her  in  the 
>ircovery  of  all  Objeds  that  furround  her 
C/^^^.  Have  you  everfeen.    Sir,  theT^bes  of  thefe  Te- 

slcoDes 

Prior'  I  afTure  you,  Sir,  I  am  not  in  Jefl ;  and  only  ac- 
luaint  you  with  a  fimple  Fad.  You  are  not  to  ni^agine, 
hat  thofe  Projeaions  which  are  commonly  called  the 
;nairs  Horns,  are  really  fuch.  They  are  four  Tubes  *, 
^ith  a  Glafs  fixed  in  the  Extremity  of  each  ;  or  they  may 
►e  called  four  optick  Nerves,  ending  in  as  many  beautiful 
^yes ;  and  the  Animal  not  only  raifes  its  Head  to  take  a 
/(lant  View,  but  alfo  extends  thefe  four  Nerves,  and  the 
Lyes  in  which  they  terminate,  much  higher  She  leng- 
hens  and  diredls  them  as  flie  pleafes,  fo  that  they  are  real 
^elefcopes,  which  fhe  turns,  and  contrads,  as  fhe  finds  it 
eceffary  The  Eyes  are  very  apparent  m  two  of  thefe 
iorns,  and  perhaps  the  other  two  are  the  Organs  fubfer- 
ient  to  the  Senfe  of  Smelling.  ,  .,,      ,        .      cv 

Thus  you  have  feen  her  lodged  and  illuminated.     She 
5   qualified  to  difcover  whatever  may  be  commodious  to 
terl  .but  as  fhe  is  deftitute  of  Feet,  how  fhall  fhe  march 
0  obtain  what   {he  wants  ?   This  Defed  is 
applied  +  by  two  large  mufcular  Skins,  that     Her  Motion, 
re  lengthened  by  letting   them  out ;  after  ^ 

diich  their  Fore-part  is  fhortened  into  Folds,  and  that  in 
he  Rear  falls  into  the  fame  Contradion  ;  by  which  Means 
hey  draw  the  Manfion  that  rells  upon  their  Surface.  But 
lere  another  Difl^culty  arifes :  As  fhe  is  conilantly  glewed 
p  the  Earth,  and  has  neither  Wings  to  raife  her  into  the 

*  Lifter,  Excercit.  Anatom.  Cochl. 

t  Derham,  Theol.  Phyf.  1.  ix.   c.  i.    Lifler^  ibid. 


144       DIALOGUE     IX. 

Air,  nor  Threads  to  fuftain  her  from  falling,  flie  muft  be 
expofed  to  the  Danger  either  of  tumbling  from  fome  Pre- 
cipice, or  being  drowned  in  the  £rfl  Water,  wherein  'tis 
her  Misfortune  to  plunge ;  and  the  very  Humidity  alone 
would  penetrate  and  deilroy  her.  But  here  Nature  has 
interpofed,  and  delivered  her  from  all  thefe 

Her  Glew»  Inconveniencies,  by  repleniihing  her  with  a 
vifcous  Humour,  that  by  its.Cohefion,  pre- 
serves her  from  falling,  and  i*€nders  her  impenetrable  to 
all  Moiilure,  by  the  Miniitration  of  an  Oil,  with  which 
ihe  clofes  all  the  Pores  of  her  Skin.  She  manages  this  pre- 
cious Fluid  with  great  Frugality  ;  in  order  to  which  fhe 
avoids  the  Sun  that  would  evaporate  it,  and  eafily  preferve 
it  in  moiil  Places,  where  it  proves  extreamly  beneficial  to 
her. 

Nothing  hinders  her,    at  pefent,    from  fearching  out 
her  Food ;  *  and  when  fhe  has  found  it,  fhe 

Her  Teeth.  cuts  and  divides  it  with  two  fharp  Teeth, 
with  which  fhe  fometimes  makes  great! 
Devaflations  on  the  finefl  Fruits,  the  tender  Buds  of  Plants, 
and  even  the.^  Leaves  themfelves,  on  whofe  Prefervation 
that  of  the  Fruit  likewife  depends.  You  fee  therefore, 
that  Nature  has  not  negle6\ed  this  Animal,  as  contempti- 
ble as  fhe  may  appear  to  us,  but  has  even  furnifhed  hex 
with  many  peculiar  Advantages. 

But  the  moil  furprifmg  Circumllance  that 

The  Gene-  attends  thefe  Creatures  is  this ;  they  are  all 
ration  of  Snails.  Hermaphrodites  §  ,  and  have  the  two  Sexes 
united  in  them  ;  fo  that  each  of  them  gives 
to  the  other  that  Fecundity  which,  at  the  fame  Time,  is 
communicated  to  itfelf  When  they  are  difpofed  to  ap- 
proach each  other  f,.  they  fignify  their  mutual  Inclina- 
tions in  a  Manner  peculiar  to  themfelves;  one  launches 
againll  the  other,  a  Kind  of  little  Dart,  which  has  four 
Wings,  or  minute  Edges.  This  Weapon  flies  from  the 
Animal,  who  fliot  it,  and  either  lodges  in  the  other,  or  falls 
down  by  him,  after  making  a  flight  Wound ;  upon  which 

*  Godart  Infect.    T<*m.  1.    Lifter   de  Cochl.   Hook  Miccgraph. 
Obf.  4.0. 

§  Hiftoirede  T  Academic  des  Scienc,  170s.  p.  48. 
t  Lifler  4^  Cochl. 

^  tliis 


Q/"TbSTACEOUS    AtilMALS.  i^r 

!hs  Creature,  in  his  Turn,  difpatches  another  Dart  at  the 
iggreffor;  but  this  httle  Combat  is  immediately  fucceedei 
y  a  Reconcihation.  The  Subftance  of  the  Dart  hyS- 
lorn  J  and  the  Animals  are  flocked  with  them  at  the 
'^t^'lTv  "  '^t  ^PP'-°^^hes  are  made,  and  which  hap! 
en  each  Year,  thncem  every  fix  Weeks,  that  is  to  Sr 
nee  every  fifteen  Days:  And  each  Infea/ eighteen  S 
Fter  every  one  of  thefe  Periods,  depofites  its  Egjin  the 
arth,  and  conceals  them  with  extraordinary  cffe  Mv 
rX^Sn??^  1!  Pfent  would  be  to  knowf  ff  the  S^Jl 
r  the  Snail  is  hatched  m  the  Egg  itfelf,  and  how  it  is 
igmented  and  repaired  on  every  nefeffary  Occafion 
Count.  I  can  alFord  you  fome  Satisfaftion,  Sir,  in  thefe 
articularsj  for  I  have  made  five  or  fix  Experiment"    that 

r^o'r^'if  "'^-^"'  ^"^-^^^^  -  -  -£ 

When  the  Snail  leaves  the  Egg,  Ihe  is 
ray'd  with  the  Shell  compleatly  form'd  *,     The  Shell. 
Id  of  a  Mmutenefs  proportionable  to  that 
her  Body,  and  the  Dimenfions  of  the  Egg  which  in- 
>fed  It     This  Shell  proves  the  Bafis  of  a  ffond,    wh  ch 
perj^tually  mcreafingj  and  the  little  Shell,  fuch  as  it  ? 
Its  Eruption  from  the  Egg,  will  always  be  the    Cemre 
the  other,  which  the  Animal,  advanced  in  her  Growth 
.ns  and  compleats,  by  adding  new  Circles   to  the  fidl 
ell:  And  as  her  Body  can  only  be  extended  towards  the 
TT'/'^'^"'^  r '"'*l"^"''y  be  the  Part  tharrSivcs 
.freftiAcceffions,  the  Materials  of  which  are  loSTn 
■  BofJy  of  the  Animal,  and  formed  by  a  Liquor    of  vif 
isPluidcompofedofGlew,  and  feveral  fandTpaiicks 
an  exceeding  Finenefs      Thefe  Ingredients  Jc  tSm 
.    through  a   great  Number  of  little  Channels    to  the 
res    with  which  the  whole  Surface  of  the  Bodv  il  ner 
ated  ;  but  the(e  being  all  clofed  by  the  Shell  that   oS 
m,  the  mixed  Fluid  is  deflefted  to  thofe  Parts  of  the 
y  that  advance  out  of  the  Shell,  and  are  ent"elydefti- 
of  any  Covering  ;  and  now  the  Particles  of  Said  and 
w,  tranfpire  without  Impediment,  and  thicken   into  a 

Malphigi  Anatom.  Plan,  de  Ccchl.  Memoirs  ^e  V  ^.  a 

"  Confiilence 


,.6        D  I  A  L  fe  G  U  E     IX. 

A  «-V,P  Fvtremitv   of  the  Shell.     This  vif- 
■""fS-Tril™  ou.  r>'tU„  Fita,  unto  which  a 

FEH,S:ritLTfhet.!ri.frs 

•. ,  r.r  her  Body  is  not  fufficiently  covered,  Hie  conti- 
treiraty  °f  ^"  ^°°y/build  in  the  fame  Manner  :  And  by 

that  tn^  laaic  i  -  ^     covered  with  a  Kind  ot 

■pth't":.:  tSd""ro:r...  .he  po» ,  .f«; 

S  l"  w  thi  F,«h  grrf..!!,  »"..'"' "XTfm"' 

xr.h:tlcSlturar.;.Si-,i 

',  VI,    ;r>  Pp-^I'^v    happened  to  be  tne  i- aci. 
''Ti    1  we  «;  Ob  caion  .gainil  this  Experiment. 
?  :r/    iSanothe    Method  of  fetisfylr.g  my  Cunofity, 
C.««/.  \r.f  ;^*;  j'  ^,,g  ^ff  ^,1  the  laft  of  thofe  four   or 
which  was  tnis:   1  bro,se  on  a.i  ^i. 

five  Contours,  which  compose  the  o.c.l  ot  a  >^^^,^^^ 


Testaceous  Animals.  147 

liich  I  drew,  between  the  Shell  and  the  Body,  a  flip  of  a 
love  made  of  the  fineil  Skin,  the  Extremity  of  which  I 
fterwards  folded  over  the  Edge  of  the  Shell,  to  which  I 
iftened  it  with  Glew.  Now,  if  the  forming  Fluid  had 
Hilled  from  the  Shell,  it  would  have  forced  away  the  lit- 
e  Skin,  inftead  of  which  it  was  not  once  moved ;  but 
ten  the  third  Part  of  the  Snail  and  more,  which  remained 
:pofed  to  the  Air,  was  immediately  covered  with  a  Sweat 
at  hardened  into  a  Contour,  which  was  joined  to  the  old 
lell  in  fuch  manner,  that  the  little  Skin  of  the  Glove 
y  between  them,  thro'  the  whole  Progrefs  of  the  Con- 
rfion. 

Prior.  I  am  very  glad  to  fee  this  Point  cleared  up,  be- 
ufe  the  fame  Fads  that  explicate  the  Formation  of  a 
laii's  Shell,  illuftrate  alfo  that  of  all  forts  of  River  and 
a  Shell-iifh.  Let  me  beg  your  Permiffion  then,  to  pro- 
fe  another  Difficulty,  for  I  am  perfuaded  it  will  furnifh 
with  new  Difcoveries.  If  the  Shells  then  are  formed, 
your  Lordihip  has  been  defcribing,  and  the  Fradures 
sy  receive  are  repaired  by  a  Matter  that  pafTes  through 
2  very  fame  Perforations  that  originally  ejeded  the  Sub- 
nce  of  the  fhattered  Covering,  the  new  Piece  that  fills 
J  Vacancy  ihould  exadly  tally  in  Colour  with  the  old 
agment,  as  well  as  with  all  the  rell  of  the  Shell ;  and 
t  f  have  feen  feveral  Snails  repair  their  Shell  in  fuch  a 
inner,  that  the  additional  Piece  was  of  a  different  Co- 
ir from  all  the  rell. 

Count.     Your  Obfervatlon  does  not  de- 
)y  any  thing  T  have  advanced,   and  you         The  Spots 
V  give  me  an  Opportunity  of  explaining     in  the  Shells. 
:  Original  of  thofe  Streaks  and  Clouds  we 
erve,  with  Admiration,  on  the  Shells  of  Snails,  and  the 
nerality  of  teftaceous  Animals. 

Chen;.  I  fliould  be  glad  to  know  their  Caufe;  for  I  have- 
luently  viewed  fome  Shells,  where  the  Streaks  were 
.wn,  without  any  Intermiffion,  from  the  little  Point  in 
■  Middle,  to  the  very  Edges  of  the  Aperture,  and  others^ 
ere  thefe  Streaks  were  dilcontinued,  or  intermingled  with 
all  Stains,  which  had  no  ill  Refemblance  to  our  Notes  in 
ifick.  What  can  occafion  this  Diverfity  ? 
'^otmt.  It  proceeds  from  the  different  Difpofition  of  the 
xeme  Parts  of  the  Animal's  Body,  that  are  vifible  at  the 

H  2  Aperture 


148        D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E    IX. 

Aperture  of  the  Shell,   where  one  may  frequently  difcorer 
'foL  minute  Lobes  or  Lines  of  Fleih    that  dilFer  from  the 
reft  in  Colour.     This  Variety  demonftrates,  that  they  have 
a  different  Texture  from  thofe  that  are  contiguous,  and  con- 
fequently  the  Juices  that  flow  into  them,    paffing  through 
Strainers,  whofe  Perforations  vary  from  thofe  of  the  adjom- 
inff  Parts,    acquire  a  particular  Complexion  m  that  Place; 
and  as  thefe  Lobes  perform  their  Fundions  and  Evacuations 
as  well  as  the  others,    and  in  the  fucceffive  Pormation  and. 
Enlargement  of  the  Shell,  contribute  their  Proportion  with 
the  rdl  of  the  flelhy  Subftance  that  is  from  time  to  time, 
thruft    out    all  the  Points    of  the  Shell   that   correfpond 
with  them,    muft  inevitably  aflume  the  fame  Colour,    and; 
which  differs  from  that  of  the  contiguous  Parts ;    conie- 
quently  thefe  Colours  muft  be  drawn  out,    and  ciftnbuted 
into  Lines  and  Rays,  and  continued  m  tne  fame  Manner 
as  lone  as  the  Animal  perfifts  in  her  gentle  Motions,  and 
makes  new  Additions  to  her  Shell,    by  the  repeated  Pro- 

trufions  of  her  Body. 

But  that  you  may  the  better  comprehend  this  Work, 
it  is  neceffary  for  you  to  know,  that  as  the  Animal  mcrea- 
fes  in  Growth,    Ihe  draws  her  Tail  from  the  Bottom  of 
the  Shell,    that  now  becomes  too  little  for  its  Reception. 
She  then  afcends  higher,  and  fixes  her  Tail  near  the  fecond 
or  third  Contorficn  of  her  Shell,   and  enlarges  her  Apart- 
ment at  the  Opening.     As  fhe  makes  thefe  Advances  by 
little  and  little,  and  afcends  from  Point  to  Point    as  they 
lye  contiguous  to  each  other;    thofe  Parts  of  her  Body,  m 
the  Aperture  of  the  Shell,  that,    by  the  Diverhty  of  then 
Pores    caufe  this  Variation  of  Colours,    form  one  conti- 
nued and  regular  Streak;  but  when  the  Animal,  in  chang, 
in<^  her  Situation,    leaves  an  Interval  between  the  Point 
from  whence  Ihe  removes  her  Tail,    and  the  new  one  ta 
which  Ihe  faftens  it,  all  the  other  Parts  of  her  Body  move 
in  the  fame  Proportion,   and  thofe  in  the  Orifice  of  the 
Shell,  that  imprefs  the  Stains,    being  transferred  to  fome 
Diilance  from  the  preceding  Speck,  tinge  the  Snell  fo,  as  to 
leave  a  Space  of  more  or  lefs  Extent  between  each  Spot, 
a  id  this  is  the  Origin  of  the  Che-vaHer-^  mufical  Notes. 
Different  Caufes  may  concur  to  paint  and  vein  the  Uutlide 
with  Colours,    more  or  lefs  lively  in  their  Glow.     The 
Quality  of  the  Food,    the  Health  or  Inaifpofmon^f  thei 


0/*Testaceous   Animals.         149 

[limal,  the  Inequality  of  her  Conflitution,    according  to 
e  feveral  Periods  of  her  Age,  and  the  Changes  that  may 
ippen  to  the  different  Perforation  of  her  Skm :  In  fhort, 
thoufand  Accidents  may  intervene,   to  heighten  or  dimi- 
fh  certain  Tints,  and  diverfify  the  whole  to  Infinity. 
If  the  Shell,  in  the  Variety  of  its  Colours 
litates    the    Diverfity    of   the    Animal's     The  Tumours 
)res,    it  is  flill   more  apparent,    that  it     ^^^^  of  Thi'" 
uft  afTume  the  Form  of  the  Body  on  which     shell. 

is  moulded.  Thus  we  obferve,  in  all 
a  Shells,  that  if  the  Animal  has  any  Swelling  or  Ine- 
lality  on  its  Body,  a  Tumour  likewife  rifes  in  the  corref- 
mding  Part  of  the  Incrullation.  When  the  Creature  dif- 
aces  herfelf,  and  enlarges  the  Dimenfions  of  her  Dwelling, 
e  fame  Tumour,  which  had  already  raifed  the  Shell  in 
e  Part,  fwells  it  anew  at  a  little  Diftance,  by  which 
eans  you  fee  the  fame  Species  of  Inequality,  in  a  wind- 
y  Line  round  the  Shell.     Sometimes  thefe   Protuberances 

the  Animal  are  fo  large,  or  fo  pointed,  that  thofe 
lich  rife  over  them,  in  the  Shell,  are  like  Horns.  She 
erwards  fills  the  Infide  of  thefe  Cavities,  and  then,  by 
w  Ev^acutions  of  Sweat,  ftrikes  out  another  Set  of  Horns, 
at  protedl  her  from  Filhes,  who  are  fond  of  Flefh.  If 
;r  Body  happens  to  be  channel'd,  the  Shell  that  covers  it 
Ls  the  fame  Configuration :  If  the  Flefh  rifes  in  Swel- 
igs,  that  wind  round  her  in  the  Form  of  a  Screw,  the 
ell  has  likewife  its  Elevations  and  Deprefiions,  that  are 
rried  on  in  a  fpiral  Line,  from  her  Tail  to  the  Extremity 

her  Bodv. 

Prior.  His  Lordfhip's  Exaftnefs  in  this  Account  of  the 
)rmation  of  Shells,  is  confirmed  by  what  we  ourfelves 
jquently  fee.      Nothing  is  more  com m. on  than  to  find, 

the  Aperture  of  a  Snail's  Shell,  and  along  the  Rims  of 
e  two  Shells  of  a  Muicle,  a  little  Film,  which  is  only  the 
cetch,  or  firft  Plan,    of  the  Addition  the  Animal  intends 

make  to  her  Habitation.  Befide  this,  when  you  throw 
e  Shells  of  Mufcles,  Snails,  or  Oyilers  into  the  Fire,  the 
eat  Ihivers  them  into  thin  Plates,  or  rather  feparates  the 
fferent  Strata  of  Matter  that  compofe  the  Shell,  and 
akes  them  vifible  by  drying,  or  evaporating  the  Glew, 
d  Salts,  which  caufed  thefe  Strata  to  cohere. 
Che^\  Since  we  are  upon  Shells  and  Oyilers,  I  hope  his 

H  3  Lordfhip 


150        DIALOGUE    IX. 

Lordfhip  will  be  fo  good  as  to  inform  me  from  whence 
could  proceed  the  two  little  Pearls,  we  found  in  one  of  the 
Oyfters  that  were  brought  to  Table  Yefterday. 

Count.  My  Thoughts  upon  the  Matter,  Sir,  amounts  to 
no  more  than  this ;  the  Oyfler  was  affliaed  with  the  Gra- 
vel *. 

Che^v.  Is  your  Lordfhip  ferious  ? 

Count.  Perfedly  fo. 

Che^v,  How!  are  thefe  Pearls,   which  we  fo  much  ad- 
mire and  purchafe  at  fo  great  an  Expence,  the  EfFed  of  a  | 
Dillemper  in  the  Animal  who  produces  them  ? 

Count,  If  the  Faa  be  not  certain,  'tis  at  leall  extremely 
probable.  The  Juice  or  Glew  with  which  Oyllers  and 
large  Sea-Mufcles  form,  by  Tranfpiration,  the  firH  Stru- 
aure,  and  future  Enlargements  of  their  Shell,  is  fometimes 
extravafated  and  forced  out  of  its  natural  Repofitory.  It ; 
is  then  amalTed  in  Drops,  and  hardened  into  little  Balls  or 
Globules,  refembling  the  Shell  in  Colour,  and  thefe  are  i 
the  very  Pearls  you  enquire  after. 

Prior.  It  is  certain,  that  the  Pearl  and  Shell  are  exadly 
of  the  fame  Complexion,  which  makes  it  probable  that; 
they  are  both  compofed  of  the  fame  Materials.  In  a 
Journey  which  I  took  twelve  Years  ago  to  the  Southern 
Parts  of  France,  I  had  an  Opportunity  of  feeing  the  two 
Ports  of  Marfeilles  and  Toulon,  In  the  lad  of  thefe,  they 
fiiewed  me  fome  large  Sea  Mufcles,  whofe  Shell  was  above 
two  Feet  in  Length.  Upon  opening  them,  we  found  fe-. 
veral  Pearls,  fome  red,  and  others  coloured  like  Mother  of 
Pearl ;  but  the  red  Pearls  were  in  that  Part  of  the  Animal, 
where  the  Lobes  of  her  Flefh  tinged  her  Shell  with  a  red 
Dye;  and  the  Pearls  of  the  Colour  of  Mother  of  Pearl, 
were  lodged  in  that  Part,  where  the  Shell  was  tindured 
with  the  fame  Hue ;  which  fhews  the  perfea  Conformity. 
there  is  between  the  Juice  v;hich  fcrms  the  Shell,  and  that 
which  conftitutes  the  Pearls.  I  may  add  tco,  that  for  one 
Pearl  which  is  found  in  the  Body  of  the  Oyller,  there  are 
a  thoufand  failened  to  the  Mother  of  Pearl,  where  they 
form  as  m.any  Warts. 

*  Memoirs  de  PAcadem.  des  S^ienc.  J717.  Monfieur  de  Reaumur. 
Ades  de  Leipf.  15S6.  Bonanni.. 

Eat 


0/ Testaceous    Animals.        151 

Bat  let  us  take  Notice  of  all  that  can  be 
advanced  againfl  this  Syftem.  Crabs  di-  The  Shell  and 
veil  themfelves  of  their  Shell  every  Year,  Eyes  of  Crabs, 
and  ejedl  a  Liquor  that  glides  over  their 
whole  Body,  and  which,  by  Degrees,  growing  dry  and 
hard,  changes  to  a  Shell,  as  flrong  as  that  they  call  off. 
At  the  Approach  of  this  Moulting-time,  if  I  may  focall  it, 
one  finds  in  the  Body  of  this  Creature,  certain  Stones,  which 
are  improperly  called  its  Eyes.  Thefe  Stones  decreafe  in 
Size,  in  proportion  as  the  new  Shell  confolidates,  and  are 
not  to  be  found  in  the  Animal,  after  the  Shell  is  com  pleat- 
ed ;  which  Obfervation  made  a  celebrated  Member  of  the 
Academy  aSrm,  that  thefe  Srones  were  the  Magazine  or 
Stock  of  Matter,  which  the  Crabs  employed  in  the  Reno- 
i^ation  of  their  Shells.  May  not  the  Cafe  be  the  fame  with 
the  Oyfier  and  its  Pearls,  as  it  is  with  the  Crab  and  its  Eyes  ? 
And  may  not  thefe  Pearls  be  a  Referve  of  Mateiials,  ap- 
propriated to  repair  the  Shells  in  the  time  of  Need? 

Count.  Your  Comparifon  feems,  at  firii,  a  little  emba- 
raffing,  but,  upon  a  nearer  View,  it  favours  my  Purpofe. 
Whatever  conlHtutes  the  effential  Part  of  an  Animal,  is  to 
be  found  in  each  Individual  of  the  Species,  and  it  is  not 
probable  that  Nature  fliould,  only  in  fome  Inftances,  afford 
that  to  them  which  they  cannot  by  any  Means  fubfiil  with- 
out. On  the  contrary,  that  which  is  a  Default  in  an  Ani- 
mal, is  only  found  in  fome  of  the  Species ;  for  no  Default 
:an  be  univerial.  The  Stones  in  Crabs,  that  feem  necef- 
ary  Materials  for  the  Reparation  of  their  Shell,  are  to  be 
found  in  the  whole  Species  of  thefe  Creatures,  at  the  Time 
tvhen  they  change  their  Covering.  But  there  are  vaft 
^antities  of  Oyilers,  in  which  Pearls  are  never  difcovered. 
From  whence  we  may  infer,  that  the  Pearls  are  a  Default 
in  the  Oyfter,  and  a  Default  too  not  very  common.  If 
the  Pearls  were  the  Stock  of  Materials  with  which  the 
Oyfters  renewed  or  repaired  their  Shells,  every  one  of  thefe 
Animals  would  have  its  particular  Magazine. 

Befide,  it  has  been  obferved  by  J'ravellers,  that  the 
Coafts  where  the  Pearl  Fifhery  is  tranfaded,  are  unhealthy; 
which  makes  it  very  credible  that  the  Oyilers  caught  there, 
owe  their  Pearls  to  fome  [ndifpofition  that  affefts  them. 
The  Spa72iards  have  abandoned  this  Fifhery  in  America ; 

H  4  and 


152  D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E    IX. 

and  it  is  certain,    that  the  Air  and  Water 
CemelH.  of  the  Ifle  of  Baharen^^    from  the  Banks 

and  Rocks  of  which  the  Divers  bring  up 
Oyfters,  are  infupportable  to  thofe  who  trade  there  for 
Pearls ;  nay,  the  wQxy  Peafants  have  fuch  an  ill  Opinion  of 
the  Oyfters  which  produce  them,  that  they  never  eat  any. 
On  the  contrary,  the  more  delicate  our  Oyfters  are,  the 
fewer  Pearls  are  found  in  them;  from  whence  it  is  natural 
to  conclude,  that  the  Waters  which  afford  the  greatell  \ 
Quantities  of  thefe  pearly  Fifh,  are  unwholefome;  where- 
as  the  Oyfters  that  either  live  in  a  more  falutary  Fluid,  or 
are  nouriihed  with  kindly  Juices,  produce  few  or  no  Pearls, 
becaufe  their  Temperament  is  free  from  all  Sicknefs  and 
Diforder. 

Prior.  I  fubmit,  my  Lord,  for  your  Account  appears 
to  me  very  fatisfadory. 

Count.  Though  the  Chevalier  is  not  unacquainted  with 
Teftaceous  Animals,  yet  if  he  will  flep  into  my  Clofet,  he 
fhall  fee  fuch  a  Colledion  as  will  entertain  him  exceeding- 
ly, with  the  Richnefs  and  Variety  of  their  Colours.  He 
will  fee  in  that  little  Space,  fome  of  the  Curiofities  of  the 
four  Quarters  of  the  World.  Some  Perfons  diilribute 
them  into  different  Claffes,  and  call  each  Shell  by  the 
Name  of  what  it  moll  refembles.  There  is  no  extraordi- 
nary Merit  in  the  Ability  of  giving  each  Clafs  its  Denomi- 
nation; but  it  has  its  Ufe,  becaufe  you,  by  thefe  Means 
avoid  Confufion,  and  can  methodize  this  Part  of  Natural 
Hiitory.  One  is  infinitely  affeded  at  the  Sight  of  this 
prodigious  Variety  of  Species,  that  are  conftantly  propa- 
gated with  the  compleateit  Similitude,  through  every  Age: 
They  are  all  formed  upon  the  fame  Defign,  which  is,  to 
proteft  the  Animal  from  Injury.  But  what  a  furprizing 
Variety  flows  from  the  Execution  of  this  fmgle  Defign? 
They  are  all  invelled  with  Perfedion,  Graces  and  Advan- 
tages, accommodated  to  their  Nature:  Induftry  and  inex- 
hauftible  Sources  are  confpicuous  through  every  Tribe. 
Some  curious  Perfons,  who  are  not  fo  lludious  of  the  Na- 
tural Hiitory  of  thofe  Shells,    as  they  are  of  the  different 

J  InthePerfianGulph. 

Effeds 


Of  Testaceous  Animals.         153 

fFe<^s  they  are  capable  of  producing,  by  the  AfTemblage 
id  Difpoiition  of  their  amiable  Colours,  make  large 
olledions  of  them  in  all  Shapes,  and  work  them  into 
tificial  Rarities  of  a  peculiar  Tafte ;  fuch  as  Sprigs  of 
lowers,  Garlands,  Grotto's,  Landlkips,  Architecture, 
id  Figures  of  Men  and  Animals,  the  whole  compofed 
'  large  and  little  Shells.  This  fort  of  Work  requires 
uch  Patience,  and  fometimes  a  great  Share  of  Genius 
id  Ingenuity.  My  Defire,  in  fhewing  you  my  Colledi- 
i,  is  to  give  you  a  better  Idea  of  what  I  have  told  you, 
ith  Refped  to  the  Manner  of  their  Formation. 
Che^,  I  fhall  be  exceedingly  pleafed  to  repeat  your  Ob- 
rvations,  and  compare  them  with  the  Shells  themfelves; 
It  I  forget  to  let  you  fee  three  or  four  which  I  have  car- 
^d  in  my  Pocket  a  confiderable  Time  ;  but  they  are  very 
etty  in  their  Kind,  and  here  they  are. 
Count.    Thefe  are  all  petrified. 

Che<v.  Petrified  f  Pray  what  may  your  Lordfhip  mean 
'  that  ? 

CovMt.  My  Meaning  is,  that  the  Shell,  as  well  as  the 
clofed  Oyfter,  by  lying  in  fome  Fluid  of  a  petrifying 
uality,  haveafiumed  the  Nature  of  Stones  v/ithout  chang- 
g  their  own  Figure. 

Che^.  I  cannot  comprehend  what  Oyfters  your  Lordfhip 
eans ;  for  Oyflers  are  taken  in  the  Sea,  but  I  found  this 
a  Mountain.  Some  fnort  time  before  my  Father  went 
A?nie7is,  he  covered  his  Parterres  and  Walks  with  Sand, 
^joining  to  his  Eftate  are  two  Hills,  where  his  Servants 
mt  to  get  two  different  Sorts  of  Sand,  and  each  of  a  mofl 
reeable  Colour ;  the  one  Grey,  and  the  other  Yellow, 
iiding  to  Red.  Every  time  I  went  to  fee  the  Workmen^ 
10  were  employed  in  digging  the  vSand,  they  gave  me 
ine  of  thefe  Shells,  which  they  often  found  in  little 
eaps,  and  they  mull  certainly  be  of  a  different  kind  froni 
ofe  found  in  the  Sea, 

Prior.  Very  well.  Gentlemen,  I  find  you  are  agreed  in 
e  fame  Deiign.  Farewel  Infeds,  and  Shells;  you  are 
ing  to  examine  the  Hiilory  of  the  Earth,  as  it  was  be- 
-e  the  Deluge.  You  fee  the  Subject  is  pretty  extenfive, 
d  I  mull  teake  my  Leave. 

Count.   No,  Sir,  I   beg  the  Favour  of  your  Company 

H  5  '  for 


154         DIALOGUE    IX. 

for  a  Moment.  We  Hiall  want  your  Affiftance;  and  a" 
fiiort  Digvefuon  on  the  Che<valier%  Qi^eftion,  will  be  more 
inflruaive  to  him  than  Pearls  of  the  brightefl  Hue.  My 
dear  Che-valier,  I  will  fhew  you  immediately,  in  my  Col- 
ledion,  three  Shells  that  are  precifely  the  fame  as  yours^ 
and  both  the  one  and  the  other  have  floated  in  the  Waves. 
f\C  f-Vjp  Se3. 

Chev.   Who  then  has  been  at  the  Pains  to  carry  them 
into  the  Heart  of  a  Mountain  ? 
Count.  I'he  Sea  it(elf. 

Chev.  But  I  have  heard,  that  the  Sea  never  paffes  be- 
yond certain  Limits ;  and  tho'  by  the  EfFeft  of  fome  Tem- 
peft,  or  otlier  Accident,  it  ihould  happen  to  overflow  the 
neighbouring  Plains,  it  can  never  extend  itfelf  to  the  Di- 
fcance  of  twenty  Leagues  and  more,  for  our  Eilate  lyes  as- 
far  as  that  from  the  Sea. 

Count.  How,  Che-jalierf  Can't  you  gueftvvhen  thi» 
Event  happened  ?  Would  not  the  Difficulty  you  are  under 
increale  upon  ycu,  fhould  I  tell  you,  that  m  the  very 
middle  of  Afnca  *  there  are  Plains  full  of  Shells,  above- 
three  hundred  Leagues  from  the  Sea,  and  that  Heaps  ot 
them  are  piled  up,  on  the  Top  of  the  Alps  themfelves?' 
You  now  find  the  Sea  flowing  over  the  Mountams.  How 
fiiall  we  folve  this  Inundation?  .^    ,      ,      • 

Che-v.  On  the  contrary :  I  find  the  Difficulty  begin  ta 
leffen.  The  Mafs  of  Shells  muft  certainly  be  convey  d  to 
thefe  Places  by  the  Waters,  when  they  deluged  the  whole 
Earth,  and  fwelled  fifteen  Cubits  above  the  higheft 
Mountains.  Give  me  my  Shells  again,  if  your 
Lordftiip  pleafes,   for  they  are  Curiofities  older  than  tiie- 

Flood.  ,  .    J 

Prior.  It  is  certain,  that  all  Nations  have  retained  a. 
Remembrance  of  the  Deluge,  and  even  the  Poets  have 
not  loll  the  Yiew  of  it,  amidll  the  Obfcurity  of  their 
f  laions.  The  whole  Earth  is  covered  with  indelible  Mo- 
numents which  att.fl  the  Progrefs  of  the  \Vaters ;  and  the- 
wniverfal  Dehige  is  an  Event,  whofe  Proofs  are  ftiU  pre- 
fentedto  our  Obfervation,  in  what  manner  foever  it  was 
occafioned,    and  as  incomprehenfible   as   it  may  appear. 

*  Hift.  &  Memuirs  de  1'  Academ,  des  Scknc.  prefstue  chaque 
»'^''"  From 


Of  Test  A cKorrs  A  n  i  m  a  l  s.         ^^^ 

From  whence  refults  an  important  Truth  ;  and  let  me 
intreat  yon,  Chenjalier^  to  fix  it  in  your  Memory ;  it 
IS  this.  There  are,  both  in  Nature  and  the  facred  Writ- 
ings:, many  Particulars  above  the  Reach  of  Man's  Con- 
:eption;  but  the  Reality  of  whofe  Exiftence  does  not, 
for  all  this,  ceafe  to  be  certain,  and  capable  of  De- 
monllration. 


T^he  End  of  the  First  Part, 


H  6  Part 


[  157  1 


Part  the  Second. 

BIRDS. 


Dialogue     X. 


TI6^  Count,  and  Co v  ntess, 
I'he  Prior,  and 

The   Ch  E  VALIE  R. 


lountefs,  X  7"  O  U  feem  to  be  at  a  Lofs,  Gentlemen^, 
^      for  a  new  Subjedl  of  Converfation.     Let 
JL      us   proceed  to   Birds.     Will  you   be  al- 
ways creeping  on  the  Earth,  with  your  Snails  and  Rep- 
lies ? 

Prior.  Let  us  take  our  Flight  from  terreftrial  Drofs,  and 
frow  acquainted  with  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Air.  All  the 
Jniverfe  you  fee,  is  replenilhed  with  Life :  Every  Part  of 
Stature  abounds  with  Adion,  and  its  proper  Animals: 
fou  cannot  proceed  one  Step  without  difcovering  new 
fraces  of  a  Wifdom  as  inexhauilible  in  the  Variety  of  ita 
^lans,  as  in  the  Richnefs  and  Fertility  of  the  Execution. 
!;aft  your  Eyes  on  that  Bird,  who  wings  the  Air  ;  nothing 
s  more  natural  to  Eyes  that  have  been  habituated  to  fuck 
I  Sight,  and  nothing  is  fo  altonilhing  to  the  Optics  of 
^eafon.    It  is  evident,   that  a  Paffage  through  the  Air^ 

whiclx 


158  DIALOGUE    X. 

which  has  been  denied  to  other  Animals,  is  open  to  thefe. 
The  Facl  is  certain ;  and  yet  Teems  to  be  altogether  im- 
pofiible.  A  Bird  in  Flight,  is  a  Mafs  rais'd  aloft  in  fpite 
of  the  Weight  of  the  Air,  and  the  powerful  Gravitation 
imprefs'd  on  all  Bodies,  and  which  impels  them  to  the 
Earth.  This  Mafs  is  tranfported,  not  by  any  foreign  Force, 
but  by  a  Movement  accommodated  to  the  Purpofe  of  the 
Bird,  and  which  fuflains  her  a  long  Time  with  a  grace- 
ful Vigour.  This  is  another  Subjedl  of  Admiration.  I 
confider  all  thefe  Birds,  I  fee  each  Individual  furnifhed  with 
no  more  than  two  Wings,  and  yet  I  obferve  them  ^11  fly- 
ing in  a  different  ^fanner  :  Some  launch  away  in  repeated 
Springs,  and  advance  by  fucceffive  Soundings ;  others  feem 
to  glide  through  the  Air,  or  cleave  it  with  an  equal,  and 
uniform  Progrefs.  Thefe  always  fkim  over  the  Earth; 
thofe  are  capable  of  foaring  up  to  the  Clouds.  You  will 
fee  fome  who  know  how  to  diverfify  their  Flight,  to  afcend 
m  a  right,  oblique,  or  circular  Line,  to  fufpend  themfelves 
and  continue  motionlefs  in  an  Element  lighter  than  them- 
felves ;  after  this,  to  flart  into  an  horizontal  Motion,  and 
then  dart  themfelves  either  to  the  Right,  or  Left,  wheel 
into  a  contrary  Track,  remount,  and  then  precipitate 
themfelves  in  an  Inilant,  like  a  defcending  Stone;  in  a 
Word,  they  tranfport  themfelves,  without  Oppofition,  or 
Hazard,  where-ever  their  Neceffities  or  Pleasures  invite 
them.  When  I  am  converfant  with  them  in  their  Habi- 
tations, I  ftill  £nd  them  equally  furprifmg.  I  am  enchant- 
ed with  the  Structure  of  their  Nefls,  the  Solicitude  with 
which  they  attend  their  Eggs,  the  Mechanifm  of  the  Egg 
itfelf,  and  the  Birth  and  Education  of  their  Young. 

Conntefs.  The  Prior,  in  his  Enthufiafm,  has  given  us 
an  agreeable  Difpofition  of  the  Particulars  of  our  Enter- 
tainment. I  charge  myfelf  with  the  Neft,  and  domeftic 
Employment  of  the  Bird,  for  I  would  willingly  have  my 
Part,  as  well  as  the  reli.  Do  you  know  where  I  purfued 
my  Studies  ?  Truly  with  my  Finches,  my  Pidgeons  and 
Ducks  ;  I  know  each  particular  by  Heart. 

Cou?2t.  Indeed,  Mad:an,  they  are  tiie  belt  Books ;  and 
the  Portraits  you  copy  from  Nature,  will  always  have  the 
fineil  Likenefs. 

Cheojalier.  Her  Ladyfliip  has  had  an  Opportunity  of  ob- 
ferving    feveral    particular  Curiolities    in   that  uclightful 

Bower 


,0/     B    I    R    D    S.  159 

Bower  which  the  Count  has  inclofed  with  a  Lattice  of 
Brais  Wier.  I  think  I  have  feen  in  this  charming  Aviary- 
all  imaginable  Sorts  of  little  Birds,  as  well  as  thofe  of  a 
middling  Size. 

Countefs.  Chenjalier,  this  Aviary  boafts  a  little  of  my 
Invention,  and  I  commonly  undertake  the  Management 
of  it,  but  my  Pains  are  requited  by  Pleafures  that  vary 
every  Day.  The  Contentions  of  thefe  little  Creatures, 
their  Endearments,  their  Melody,  and  Labours,  and  the 
obliging  Civilities  I  receive  from  the  Generality,  when  1 
pay^them  a  Vifit,  are  extreamly  entertaining  to  me.  I 
carry  my  Work  to  them,  and  am  never  alone.  One  may 
pals  whole  Hours  and  Afternoons  there,  without  finding 
the  Converfation  languifli,  and  it  feems  to  me,  to  be  that 
Part  of  the  Houfe  for  which  the  Che-valier  has  the  great- 
eft  Fondnefs. 

Che^mlier,  I  am  furprifed  we  don't  every  where  meet 
with  iuch  an  eafy  Amufement.  But  what  prevents  us. 
Madam,  from  adjourning  the  Aflembly  to  the  Aviary  ? 
We  can't  talk  of  Birds  in  a  more  proper  Situation  ;  we 
fhall  have  a  full  View  of  them  all,  when  they  come  by 
Turns  to  play,  and  drink  on  the  Edges  of  the  little  Canal 
that  runs  thrcmgh  the  Bovver. 

Counte/'s.  I  have  lately  feen  a  Couple  of  new  Broods  * 
though  the  Seafon  be  far  advanced.  The  Affair  is  of 
fome  Importance,  becaufe  they  are  two  Species,  I  am  very 
defirous  of  preferving.  Long  Vifits,  and  abundance  of 
Company  difcompofe  thtm,  and  make  them  frequently 
forfake  their  Eggs  ;  but,  without  invading  the  Liberty  of 
our  Solitaries,  I  will  acquaint  you  with  the  Strudure  o£ 
their  Neils,  as  well  as  if  they  were  before  your  Eyes. 

1  am  never  tired  with  obferving  the  per- 
fea  Similitude  that  appears  in  all  the  Nells        The  Neft. 
of  Birds  of  the  fame  Species,  the  Difference 
between  the  Neil  of  one  Species,  and  that  of  another,  and 
theinduflry,  Neatnefs,  and  Precautions,  which  reign  thro 
the  whole.     As  my   little  Prifoners   cannot  make  Excur- 
fions  for  the  neceflary  Materials  to  build  their  Neits,    1 

*  The  Goldfinch,  Greenfinch,  and  others,  fometiines  biiild  theif 
Neft  in  Auguft  and  September.  Thefe  Exceptions,  wnich  are  very 
race,  don't  deflroj^  the  general  Order  remarks  eliewhere.. 


i6a  DIALOGUE    X. 

take  care  to  fupply  them  with  every  thing  I  imagine  can 
be  agreeable  to  them,  and  am  curious  to  obferve  what 
compofes  thofe  Nefts  the  Children  bring  me  from  all 
Parts;  accordingly  I  throw  into  the  Aviary,  Sprigs  of  dry 
Wood,  Shivers  of  Bark,  and  dry  Leaves,  Hay,  Straw,  Mofs, 
Down,  Wool,  Silk,  Spiders  Webs,  Feathers,  and  a  hun- 
dred other  little  Materials  that  are  all  ufeful  in  the  Neft, 
You  would  fmile  to  fee  the  Inhabitants  come  to  traffick 
at  this  Fair:  One  wants  a  Bit  of  Mofs;  another  has  oc- 
cafion  for  a  Feather ;  a  third  can't  do  without  a  Straw  ^ 
you  will  fee  two  out-bidding  one  another  for  a  Lock  of 
Wool,  and  this  fometimes  caufes  great  Quarrels;  however, 
the  Difference  is  commonly  adjufted,  and  each  carries 
what  (he  can  to  the  Nell. 

They  are  as  well  furnilhed  with  Provifions  too,  and  I 
have  appointed  a  Steward,  or  Purveyor  for  them,  who 
waits  on  them  with  Worms,  Caterpillars,  Flies,  befides 
feveral  Sorts  of  Seeds,  and  who  ferves  them  all  according 
to  their  Appetites  in  each  Seafon.  One  finds  a  great  Ad- 
vantage in  bringing  them  up  in  this  Manner,  under  a 
green  Covering.  They  enjoy  a  better  State  of  Health,  ad 
with  more  Freedom,  and  one  has  a  better  Vi"ew  of  their 
various  Charaders  and  Labours. 

One  Species  builds  its  Neil  on  the  Top  of  Trees.  Ano- 
ther  chufes  to  fettle  on  the  Ground,  under  a  Canopy  of 
Grafs,  but  where-ever  they  diipofe  themfelves,  they  are 
always  accommodated  with  a  Shelter,  and  either  make 
choice  of  Herbs,  or  a  fhady  Branch,  or  a  double  Roof  of 
Leaves,  down  the  Slope  of  which  the  Rain  trickles,  with- 
out entering  into  the  little  Opening  of  the  Nell,  that  lyes 
conceal'd  below.  The  Nefl:  is  railed  on  more  folid  Mate- 
rials, that  ftrengthen  it  with  a  Foundation  ;  for  which  Pur> 
pofe  they  make  Ufe  of  Thorns,  Reeds,  thick  Hay,  and 
compaa  Mofs.  On  this  firfl:  Lay,  that  feems  very  fhape- 
lefs;  they  fpread,  and  fold  in  a  Round,  all  the  moH  deli- 
cate Materials,  which  being  clofely  interwoven,  prevent 
the  Accefs  of  Winds  and  Inleds.  But  each  Species  has  a 
particular  Taile  in  the  Building  and  Furniture  of  its  Apartr 
ment,  and  when  this  is  compleated,  they  never  fail  either 
to  hang  the  Infide  with  a  Tapeflry  of  Feathers,  or  quilt 
it  with  Wool,  or  Silk  itfelf,  in  order  to  communicate  a 
convenient  Warmth  around  them,  and  their  You-ng.  When 

their 


0/     B    I    R    D    S.  i6i 

eiY  Supplies  fail  them,  there  is  fcarce  any  Invention,  to 
hich  they  have  not  Recourfe  for  a  Recruit ;  and  this  is 
hat  I  learnt  from  the  firft  Thiftle-Finches  I  bred :  I  only 
irnilhed  them  with  Hay  for  the  Strudure  of  their  Neil, 
id  the  Female,  for  want  of  Raw-Silk,  or  Cotton,  found 
It  an  Expedient  that  furprifed  me.  She  began  to  urplume 
le  Breaft  of  the  Male,  without  the  leaft  Oppofition  from 
im,  and  afterwards  hung  all  the  Apartment  very  artifi- 
ally  with  the  Down. 

Che'valier.  This  indeed  is  allonifhing.  Who  acquainted 
lis  Mother  that  (he  would  have  Eggs,  and  Young,  and 
lat  thefe  Eggs  could  not  be  cherifhed  without  Heat  ? 

Prior.  Admire  the  Skill  and  Induilry,  as  well  as  the 
rovident  Care  of  this  Creature  ;  or  if  you  will  not  allow 
er  to  be  Miftrefs  of  thefe  Qualities,  acknowledge  their 
miable  Difplay  in  Him  who  furnifhed  Man  with  the  Gift 
f  Reafon,  that  extends  to  every  thing  round  him  ;  and 
/ho  infpired  Animals  with' an  Imitation  of  this  Reafon, 
imited  indeed  to  a  fingle  Point,  but  admirable  in  that 
ery  Limitation.  For  is  it  not  an  infinite  Reafon  that  di- 
edls  the  Labour  of  this  Bird,  when  fhe  builds  her  Neft  ? 
Vho  informed  her  fhe  fhould  lay  Eggs,  and  would  want 
.  Nefl  to  preferve  them  from  falling,  and  cherifli  theni 
vith  a  genial  Heat  ?  that  this  Heat  would  not  be  concen- 
ered  round  the  Eggs,  were  the  Nefl:  too  large,  and  that 
he  Neft  would  be  incapable  of  containing  all  the  Young, 
vere  fhe  to  give  it  lefs  Dimenfions  ?  How  comes  fhe  to 
enow  its  jufl  Proportion  and  Extent,  with  the  Number  of 
iowng  to  be  born  ?  Who  has  regulated  her  Almanack, 
hat  fhe  might  not  mifcalculate  the  Time,  and  lay  her 
Eggs,  before  fhe  had  compleated  her  Neft  ? 

Count,  There  is  one  Circumftance  that  aftonifhes  me  yet 
more.  The  Workman  who  makes  a  Bafket,  is  furnifhed 
kvith  Fingers  and  Implements.  The  Mafon  has  his  Hod 
md  Trowel,  his  Line  and  Square.  But  the  Inhabitants  of 
tny  Aviary,  who  accomplifh  Works  of  every  kind,  have 
no  Utenfil  but  their  Bill. 

Countefs.  Forgive  me  an  odd  Thought  that  comes  into 
my  Head.  Let  us  fuppofe  Dadalus,  or  any  other  Archi- 
tect you  pleafe,  to  be  transformed  into  a  Bird,  no  longer 
accommodated  with  Arms,  or  Tools,  or  Materials,  and 
Mafter  of  nothing  but  his  Science  and  Beak.     Hov/  will 

kc 


t62        DIALOGUE    X. 

he  employ  them  ?  The  Bird  indeed  has  a  Beak,  but  no 
Science,  and  yet  ilie  forms  Works  that  difcover  all  the 
Propriety  of  the  Ba(ket-maker,  and  all  the  Induilry  of  the 

Mafon  ;    for  in   fome  of  thefe    Neils,  the 

The  Nefl  of     Plairs  and  Reeds  are  interwoven  with  great 

a  Titmoufe.         Dexterity  :    *  Others  have   ail    their  Parts 

properly  faflened  and  connedled  with  a 
Thread  which  the  Birds  fpin  from  a  Flew,  as  well  as  from 
Hemp  and  Hair,  and  generally  from  the  Vs^ebs  of  Spiders, 
which  ihe  eafily  procures  when  thefe  wandering  Creatures 
dart  from  Place  to  Place,  and  fill  the  Fields  with  their 
Threads,  by  the  AiTiftance  of  which,  they,  change  their  Si- 
tuation, and  go  in  queil  of  Company,  f  There  are  other 
Birds,  fuch  as  the  Blackbird  and  Lapwing,  who  after  they 
have  made  their  Neil,  rough-cafe  the  Inlide  with  a  fmall 
Lay  of  Mortar,  that  glews  and  fupports  all  below ;  and 
by  the  Aid  of  a  little  Flew,  or  Mofs,  with  which  they 
temper  it  when  it  is  frefh  and  foft,  form  a  compleat  Wall 
within ;  let  us  rather  call  it  an  Apartment,  commodiouf- 
ly  furniihed,  and  properly  calculated  to  preferve  the  ne- 
ceiTaiy  Warmth.     I  have  frequently,  from  my  Window^ 

feen  the  Swallow  either  beginning,    or  re- 
The   Swal-     pairing  her  Neil,  which  is  a   Strufture  en- 
low's  Nell.  tirely  different  from  all  others :    She  wanta 

neither  Wood,  nor  Hay,  nor  Bands,  but 
knows  how  to  make  a  kind  of  Plaiiler',  or  rather  Cement, 
with  which  Ihe  eredls  a  Dwelling  equally  fecure  and  con- 
venient for  herfelf  and  all  her  Family.  She  has  no  VefTels 
to  receive  the  Water  fhe  ufes,  nor  a  Barrow  to  convey  her 
Sand,  nor  a  Shovel  to  mix  her  Mortar;  but  j  have  feen 
her  pafs  and  repafs  over  the  Bafon  in  the  Parterre ;  fhe 
raifes  her  Wings,  and  wets  her  Breafl  on  the  SCirface  of  the 
Water,  after  which  flie  flieds  the  Dew  over  the  Dull,  and 
then  tempers  and  works  it  up  with  her  Bill."  But  I  try 
your  Patience,  Che^valier^  and  am  fenfible  I  am  a  little 
extravagant  in  my  Fondnefs  for  Birds. 

Chevalier.  hQt  me   intreat  you,   Madam,    to  continue 
your  Account,  for  i  am  charmed  with  hearing  you .    Pray 

*  Derham,  Theol.  Phyf.  I.  vili.  c.  4.  rem.  5.  Rail  Synopf.  Avium,, 
^  74. 

t  WiJlughby^s  Ornithol.  p.  140. 

what 


Of  Testaceous  Animals.         163 

hat  fucceeds  when  the  Neft  is  compleated  ? 

Countefs.  The  Dam  then  lays  her  Eggs, 
The  Brood.  the  Number  of  which  varies  according  to 
the  Species :  Some  have  only  two  at  a 
Ime;  others  four,  or  £ve,  and  feme  eighteen.  When  the 
ggs  are  laid,  the  Male  and  Female  brood  over  them  by 
Wns ;  but  this  is  generally  the  Female's  Province.,  And 
ere  we  muft  unavoidably  adm.ire  the  ImpreiTions  of  a  fu- 
erior  Reafon  that  aas  upon  thefe  little  Creatures :  The/ 
ave  no  certain  Knowledge  either  of  what  their  Eggs  con- 
dn,  or  of  the  NecefTity  there  is  to  fit  on  them,  in  order 
)  hatch  them,  and  yet  this  Animal,  who  is  fo  adive  and 
nfettled  at  other  Times,  in  this  Moment  forgets  her  natu- 
il  Difpofition,  and  fixes  herfelf  on  the  Eggs  as  long  as  is 
mvenient;  llie  fubmits  to  Reilraint,  renounces  all  Flea- 
ire,  and  continues  almoil  twenty  Days,  infeparable  from 
er  Brood ;  and  that  with  a  Tendernefs  fo  extraordinary, 
5  makes  her  forget  to  eat.  The  Male,  on  his  Part,  fhares 
nd  alleviates  her  fatigue,  he  brings  Food  to  his  faithful 
late,  repeats  his  Journie^  \yithout  Intermilfion,  and  waits 
n  her  with  the  Collation  ready  prepared  in  his  Bill ;  his 
ervices  are  accompanied  with  the  politell  Behaviour,  and 
'he  ever  difcontinues  his  AlTiduity,  'tis  to  entertain  her 
^ith  his  warbling  :  He  ads  with  fo  much  Fire  and  Alacri-^ 
■f,  and  puts  on  fo  mai^y  Graces  in  his  Departures,  and 
Leturns  to  ferve  her,  t^^at  one  is  at  a  lofs  to  know,  whe* 
ler  the  painful  Perfeverance  of  the  little  Mother,  or  the 
fHcIous  Inquietude  of  her  Spoufe,  are  molt  to  be  ad- 
Liired. 

Perhaps  the  Chevalier  vnW  not  be  difpleafed  at  my  ac- 
uainting  him  with' the  Cares  they  undergo  in  the  Educa- 
ion  of  their  Young,  but  it  would  not  be  improper,  before 
his,  to  give  him  a  Defcription  of  what  the  Egg  contains,, 
s  well  as  of  the  Manner  ja  which  the  Young  is  there 
3rmed,  and  how  it  afterwards  iffues  from  its  Confinement. 
\n  Egg  is  a  ytvy  common  Food ;  but,  drelTed  in  a  parti- 
ular  Manner,  may  prove  an  agreeable  Regale.  Can  you, 
earned  Gentlemen,  tell  us  what  an  Egg  is  ? 

Count.  It  would  be  eafy  for  me  to  fatigue  you  with  too 
iiuch  anatomical  Exaanefs.  Let  us  therefore  content  cur- 
sives with  an  unpoliilied,  but  true  Defcription.     *  One 

*  Maipighi  de  ovo  incubato, 

-^  may 


i64         DIALOGUE     X. 

may  judge  of  the  Eggs   of  the  fmalleft  Birds,  by  that  of  a 
Hen,  where  the  Parts  are  more  apparent.     *  We  may  ea- 
fily  dilbnguifh  the  Yolk  in  the  Heart  of  an  Egg,  as  like- 
wife  the  firll  white  Subftance  that  furrounds  it  ;    and  a  fe- 
cond  White,    in  which  the  Mafs  in  the  Middle  fwims  • 
Belides  theie     we  can  fee  the  Ligaments  that  fuftain  the 
>  oik,  towards  the  Centre  of  the  Egg,   and  can  likewife 
di.cover  feyeral   Membranes ;    one  of  which  enfolds  the 
Yolk,  another  the  firll  white,  a  third  and  fourth  encom- 
pafs  the  whole  ;  and  laftly,  we  fee  the  Shell  formed  for  the 
Defence  and  Prefervation  of  all  the  reil.  What  lyes  within 
thefe  Inclofures  has  the  firft  Formation,  the  Shell  has  the 
laft,  and  Hardens  from  Day  to  Day,-  'tis  a  Fluxion  of  Salts 
evacuated  from  the  Humours  of  the  Dam,  and  which  the- 
Heat  fixes  and  confolidates  round    the  Egg,    to  form  a 
L-rult,  that  has  a  double  Funftion ;  one  qualifies  the  Mother 
tor  diicharging  the  Egg  without  crulhing   it,    the  fecond 
preferves  the  Young  from  all  Accidents,  till  it  be  formed, 
and  in  a  Condition  to  forfake  the  Egg.    f  We  may  even 
lay,  that  the  Egg  performs  to  young  Birds,  the  Office  of 
a  Breaft  and  Milk,  with   which  the  Offspring  of  other 
Tu    ^,  ■ .       ^"iinals   are  nouriihed,    becaufe  the  little 
The  Chick.     Chick,  who  lyes  in  the  Egg,  is  firft  fu-- 
-A         J      .  ,^^'"ed  with  the  White  of  the  Egg,    and' 
afterwards  with  the  Yolk,  when  the  Animal  has  Shered 
a  little  Strength,  and  its  Parts  begin  to  be  fixed.     Under 
this  Membrane  which  furrounds  the  Yolk, 
The  Oca-      is  found  a  little  Cicatrice,    or  white  Spot, 
which  is  only  the  Seed,  where  the  Chick 
,f  .%.      n^^       'f^'^^^  '"  Miniature.     Tt  has  all  its  Organs, 
at  that  Time,    but  they  are  wrapped   up,    and  compre- 
hended in  a  Point.     If  the  fmalleft  Portion  of  that  vital 
bpint,  which  is  deftined  to  animate  the  Mafs,  be  theninfu- 
led  into  It,  by  a  Procefs  of  which  I  have  no  Idea;    the 
Chick  receives   Life  at  the  fame  Inftant,  and   its  whole 
bubltance  ,s  then  in  Motion.     We  have  no  adequate  Con- 
ception  indeed,  of  a  vital  Spirit ;  but  this  Expreffion  points 
out  a  Reality,  which  is  fufBcient  for  our  Purpofe. 

*  Willughby's  Ornithol.  1.  i.   c.  3. 

t  Leuvva.ihoek,  Ep.  phyf.  40.  WiJlughby,  ib:d. 


nar. 


0/     B    I    R    D    S.  165 

Prior.  We  have  a  Privilege  to  ufe  this  Term,  without 
Dmprehending  it ;  as  we  mention  the  Word  Sun,  without 
:quiring  a  competent  Idea  of  that  Luminary. 

Count.  When  the  vital  Principle  has  not  been  infufed 
ito  this  Speck,  which  comprehends,  not  only  the  firfl 
ketch,  but  every  Part  of  the  Chick,  the  Dam  may  fome- 
mes  lay  that  Egg,  but  it  will  contain  nothing  more  than 
n  unprolific  Nourifhment,  and  will  never  be  a  living  Ani- 
lal.  On  the  contrary,  Ihould  this  enlivening  Spirit  be 
anfmitted,  in  the  minuteft  Degree,  thro'  the  Pores  of 
lofe  Membranes,  thro'  which  fuch  a  Diverfity  of  Ali- 
lents  has  already  flowed,  it  will  then  open  the  fmall 
efTels  of  the  Chick,  diffufe  a  general  Warmth,  and  con- 
ey a  nutrimental  Fluid  to  the  Heart.  The  Structure  of 
lis  little  Mufcle  enables  it  to  open  and  dilate,  for  the  Re- 
sption  of  what  pafTes  into  it  on  one  Side,  and  likewife  to 
3ntracl  itfelf,  for  difcharging  thro'  another  Orifice,  what 
as  been  already  received.  This  Pulfation  of  the  Heart 
as  fome  Analogy  to  the  Pendulum  of  a  Clock,  from  whofe 
^ibration,  the  whole  Machine  derives  its  Motions.  The 
foment  the  Heart  begins  to  beat,  the  Animal  is  alive, 
ut  ftill  continues  to  receive,  by  the  Mediation  of  the  um- 
ilic  Pud,  a  Flow  of  nutritious  Juices,  which  it  tranfmits 
ito  the  other  VefTels,  whofe  Branches  diilribute  this  Nou- 
ilhment  thro'  the  whole  Body.  All  thofe  little  Canals, 
i^hich  were  flat  before,  are  now  fwelled  and  inlarged  ; 
he  whole  Subftance  imbibes  a  proper  Aliment,  and  the 
^hick  begins  to  grow. 

It  is  almoft  impoflible  to  diftinguifli,  amidft  the  Fluids 
hat  furround  it,  the  Nature  of  its  daily  Progrefs  and 
Ilhanges,  till  the  Period,  when  it  iflues  from  the  Shell- 
But  let  us  not  omit  one  Precaution,  equally  evident  and 
iftonifliing,  and  which  is  obfervable  in  the  Situation  of 
he  Speck,  out  of  which  the  Animal  is  formed.  This 
ninute  and  globular  Particle  of  Matter,  which  is  lodged 
m  the  Film  that  enfolds  the  Yolk,  has  always  its  Pofition 
lear  the  Centre  of  the  Egg,  and  towards  the  Body  of  the 
Dam,  in  order  to  be  impregnated  with  a  necefTary  Warmth. 
^s  the  Wick  of  a  Mariner's  Lamp  is  conflantly  prefer ved 
near  the  Surface,  by  the  Mobility  of  the  Slings  of  the 
Lamp,  and  the  Weight  of  the  Veffel  of  Oil,  which  always 
;ends  downwards,  notwithHanding  the  Motion  of  the  Ship; 

fome 


iSe  D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E    X. 

fome  Contrivance  of  this  Nature,  prevents  the  Young 
from  being  overthrown,  upon  any  Removal  of  the  Egg. 
The  Yolk  is  fufcainM  by  two  Ligaments, 
The  Liga-  viiible  at  the  Aperture  of  the  Egg,  and 
ments.  which  fallen  it,    on  each  Side  to  the  com- 

mon Membrane  glewed  to  the  Shell.  Should 
a  Line  be  drawn  from  one  Ligament  to  the  other,  it 
would  not  exaftly  pafs  through  the  Middle  of  the  Yolk, 
but  above  the  Center,  and  would  cut  the  Yolk  into  two 
unequal  Parts,  fo  that  the  fmaller  Part  of  the  Yolk,  which 
contains  the  Seed,  is  of  NecefTity  raifed  towards  the  Bel- 
ly of  the  Bird  who  performs  the  Incubation;  and  the 
other  Part  being  more  grofs  and  weighty,  always  defcends 
as  near  the  Bottom  as  the  Bands  will  permit;  by  which 
means,  ihould  the  Egg  be  difplaced,  the  Young  could  not 
receive  any  Injury  ;  and  whatever  may  happen,  it  enjoys 
a  Warmth  that  puts  all  about  it  in  Aftion,  and  by  Degrees 
compleats  the  Difengagement  of  its  Parts.  As  it  is  inca- 
pable of  Aiding  down,  it  nourifhes  itfclf  in  Eale,  firil 
with  this  liquid  and  delicate  White,  which  is  adapted  to 
its  Condition,  and  afterwards  with  the  Yolk,  which  affords 
a  more  fubftantial  Food.  And  when  its  Bill  is  hardened, 
and  the  Bird  begins  to  be  uneafy  at  his  Confinement,  he  en- 
deavours to  break  the  Shell,  and  does  fo  in  Efffc6l.  After 
which  he  iffues  out,  fully  replenifhed  with  the  Yolk, 
which  nourifhes  him  a  little  longer,  'till  he  has  Strength 
enough  to  raife  himfelf  on  his  Feet,  and  can  march  about 
to  look  for  Provifions,  or  until  the  Parents  come  them- 
felves  to  fupply  him. 

Prior,  From  his  Lordfliip's  Obfervation,  that  fome 
of  thefe  Young,  when  they  abandon  the  Shell,  are  kd 
by  their  Parents,  and  others  fcek  their  own  Provifions, 
I  have  happened  on  a  Thought  which  I  lliall  propofe  to 
the  Chevalier,  The  Birds  who  nourifli  their  Young,  have 
commonly  very  few  ;  on  the  contrary,  thofe  whofe  Young 
feed  themfelves,  when  they  firll  fee  the  Day,  have  fome- 
times  eighteen  or  twenty  in  a  Brood,  and  fometimes  more : 
Of  this  hil  kind  are  Quails,  Pheafants,  Partridges,  and  Hens. 
Why  then  has  the  Dam  who  fuflains  her  Young  fo  fmall  a 
Number,  and  why  has  fhe  fuch  a  numerous  Off-fpring, 
who  only  walks  at  the  Head  of  them,  and  never  fupplies 

them 


0/  B  I  R  D  S.  167 

em  with  Fojod  ?  Do  you  impute  this  Difference  to  the  Sa- 
Lcity  of  the  Parent,  or  the  Capricioufnefs  of  Chance?. 
Che^v.  There  is  no  Capricioufnefs  in  this  Fad,  but  ra- 
er  an  extraordinary  Prudence,  which  could  only  be  im- 
ired  by  him,  who  has  regulated  all  Things  to  the  beft 
dvantage.  The  Dam  who  charges  herfelf  with  the 
ire  of  feeking  Provifions,  has  but  an  inconfiderable 
■ood;  were  it  large,  both  the  Parents  would  be  Slaves, 
d  the  Young  but  indifferently  accommodated.  As  to  the 
Mother  who  marches  in  the  Van  of  her  Progeny,  without 
urifhing  them,  flie  can  condu6l  twenty  as  well  as  four: 
lis  is  a  Demonilration  rifmg  before  our  Eyes. 
Count efs,  Tis  very  true,  Chenjalier,  but  who  has  thefe 
-^es  ?  You  make  me  open  mine  to  a  Truth  I  was  not 
ifible  of  before.  You  tell  us  of  one  Set  of  Young,  who 
I  nouriflied  by  their  Parents,  and  of  another  who  feek 
sir  own  Food,  but  how  do  thefe  latter  get  what  they 
mt  ?  Have  they  any  Market  where  they  may  be  fure  of 
ding  their  Provifions  ?  And  how  are  the  Cries  of  the 
•mer,  who  cannot  make  Excurfions  for  Suflenance, 
ard  on  the  Spot  ?  Has  the  Father  of  thefe  little  ones  any 
agazine  in  which  he  hourly  finds  a  fufficient  Supply  for 
;  whole  Family  ? 

Che^jalier.    They  are    all  nouriflied  by  one  common 
then 

Prior.  He  opens  the  great  Magazine  of  the  Fields, 
lere  they  are  all  accommodated  according  to  their  Ne- 
Iities.  There  they  find  Caterpillars  and  Worms,  foF 
^ir  Young.  The  Atmofphere  likewife  fupplies  them 
a  very  confiderable  Height,  with  innumerable  Flies  and 
lats,  the  Generality  of  which  are  imperceptible  to  our 
ew.  When  the  Denfity  of  the  Air  caufes  thefe  little 
feds  to  defcend,  the  Birds  lower  their  Flight,  and  de- 
:nd  in  Proportion.  The  Earth  alfo  furnifhes  them  with 
etles.  Snails,  and  Seeds  of  all  Kinds,  which  are  their 
lod  when  they  are  advanced  in  Strength  ;  even  Frogs, 
zards.  Serpents,  and  thofe  very  Animals  we  apprehend 
be  moll  pernicious,  are  a  delicious  P.cgale  for  Storks, 
d  a  Variety  of  other  Tribes.  God  opens  his  Hand,  and 
:!ry  Animal  lives. 

Countefs.  Here  is  another  Inflance  of  his  Bounty,  which 
ates  to  us  in  particular.     Thoie  Birds  who   are  detri- 

jj  iiien'.Rl 


i68       DIALOGUE    X. 

mental  to  us,  and  thofe  with  vvhofe  Exigence  we  can  ea- 
fily  difpenfe,    are  the  Species  who  multiply  the  leaft.     On 
the   contrary,    thofe  whofe   Flefh   is  mofl  falutary,    and 
whofe  Eggs  afford  the  bed  Nourifhment,  are  fruitful  to  a 
Prodigy.      The  Hen  alone  is  a  Treafure  for  Man,    and 
daily  makes  him  a   Prefent    extremely  valuable.      If  fhCi 
fometimes  ceafes  to  furniih    out  her  Mailer's  Table,    'tis 
only  that  Ihe  may  the  better  recruit  his  Poultry  ;    and  fori 
her  Services,   fo  frequently  repeated  {he  demands  nothing; 
but  the  moil  infignificant  Remains  of  his  Barn  and  Table. 
It  would  be  Ingratitude  not  to  be  fenfible  of  the  Merit  ofj 
fuch  a  Domeflic.     But  let  us  leave  this  Article,    and  re- 
turn to  the  Birds. 

I  fuppofe  the  Eggs  hatch'd;  and  nowi 
The  Rearing  the  Young  makes  its  Appearance:  Withi 
cf  the  Young,  what  a  new  Weight  of  Cares  are  the  Pa- 
rents charged,  'till  the  Brood  are  capablei 
of  fubfifling  without  them !  They  are  fenfible,  'till  that 
Period,  what  it  is  to  have  the  Care  of  a  Family.  Provi- 
fion  mull  be  prepared  for  eight  inllead  of  two.  The: 
Linnet  and  the  Nightingale  labour  then  like  the  reft. 
Adieu  to  Mufic,  'tis  no  longer  a  Seafon  for  Singing  :  Or, 
at  leaft,  they  indulge  it  with  the  lefs  Frequency.  They 
are  prefted  by  Neceffity,  and  conftantly  in  queft  of  Pro- 
vifions,  fometimes  one,  fometimes  the  other,  and  fome- 
times both  together.  They  are  up  before  the  Sun,  they 
diftribute  the  Food  with  great  Equality,  giving  each  its 
Portion  in  its  Turn,  and  never  feeding  one  Bird  twice. 
This  Tendernefs  of  the  Mothers  for  their  Young  operates 
to  a  Degree  that  even  changes  their  natural  Difpofition, 
and  new  Duties  introduce  new  Inclinations.  'Tis  not  only 
incumbent  on  them  to  nourifti ;  they  muft  likewife  watch, 
defend,  and  forecaft  ;  they  muft  oppofe  the  Enemy,  and 
hazard  their  cAvn  Perfons  in  each  Encounter.  Follow  a 
Hen  whenftie  becomes  the  Parent  of  a  Family,  and  you  will 
fee  Ihe  is  no  longer  the  fame  Creature.  Tendernefs  chan- 
ges her  Humours,  and  correds  her  Imperfection,  fhe  was 
formerly  ravenous  and  infatiable,  but  at  prefent,  ftie 
no  longer  refembles  herfelf  Does  flie  find  a  Grain  of 
Corn,  a  Crumb  of  Bread,  or  even  fomething  more  confi- 
derable  in  quality,  and  capable  of  being  divided;  llie  ne- 
ver touches  it  herfelf,  but  gives  Intelligence  to  her  Troop, 

by 


0/  B  I  R  D  S.  ,eg 

y  a  Note  of  Invitation  they  all  underftand :  They  run 
.  her  with  great  Expedition,  and  the  difcovered  Food 
only  for  their  Ufe,  whilft  the  Mother  confines  herfelf 
the  greateft  Moderation  in  her  own  Meals.  This  Mo- 
er  naturally  timorous,  and  who  before  knew  nothine 
It  Might,  IS  a  Heroine  at  the  Head  of  a  Troop  of 
hickens;  fhe  is  no  longer  acquainted  with  Danger,  but 
mgs  to  the  very  Eyes  of  the  ftouteit  Dog,  and  is  infpi- 
d  with  fo  much  Courage  by  her  new  Dignity,  that  L 
3uld  venture  to  encounter  a  Lion. 
I  lately  faw  one  of  thefe  Creatures  in  another  Situation 
.   lefs  entertaining.      I  gave  Direftions  to  have  fome 

y  Wiih.     The  Young,  when  they  quitted  the  Shell,  had 

rfplf  :Z"^P  °1'"^/>'  ^'■°°'^  =    ^"'  ^^  fti»  fancied 

rfelf  their  Parent,  and,  for  that  Reafon,  was  extreme- 
pleafed  with  them,  and  tended  them  as  her  own,  wTk 
'  Srf^jeft  F'deluy.     She  gathered  them  under  her  Wings 

^h  ^n  A  T  r^."^^"^'^'  -nd  led  them  up  and  down 
th  all  the  Authority  and  Privilege  of  a  Mother.  She 
d  always  been  perfeftly  well  refpefted  and  obeyed  by 
:vvhole  Brood  J  but  unfortunately  for  her  Honour,  a 
Dok  appeared  m  tne  Way,  and  all  the  little  Ducks 
re  immediately  in  the  Water.  She  was  in  a  wonderful 
•plex.ty;  Ihe  followed  them  with  her  Eyes  alonrthe 

t'  r':,'^T  PT''^'^'  --^Proached  them  for^their 
(hnefs,  ca  led  loud  for  Affiftance,  and  uttered  her  Com- 
mts  to  all  around  her.  She  returned  to  the  Stream 
I  renewed  her  Call  to  thefe  imprudent  Creaturef  B« 
Ducklings,  tranfported  to  find  themfelves  in  their 
>per  Element,  from  that  Moment  difcharged  her  of  all 

yor.  Her  Ladyfliip  will  permit  me  to  interrupt  her 
loment,  and  alk  the  Chevalier  in  what  SchooTthefe 
klmgs  had  learned  that  Water  was  their  E?ement' 
sy  certainly  had  not  this  Information  from  the  HeT 
.W.  I  conceive  It.  This  Propenfitv  to  the  Water  k 
.lanted  in  the  very  Nature  of%he  Duck.  'Ti's  the 
rk  of  the  Deity.  '*   '^^ 

'rior.    One  cannot,   i„  fuch  an  Inltance,   miftake  the 

Iniprefliog 


I70        DIALOGUE     X. 

Impreffion  of  the  Creator,   which  anticipates  all  Leflbna, 
and  correi^s  Education  itfelf. 

Count efs,    I  muft  give  the  Chevalier  another  In  {lance  oi 
a  Mother's  Anxiety,    to^  which  I  have   frequently  been  a 
Witnefs.      When  the  Turky  Hen  appears  at  the  Head  of 
her  Young,   fhe  is  fometimes  heard  to  fend  forth  fuch  a 
mournful  Cry,    the  Caufe  and  Intention  of  which  are  un- 
known.     The    Brood   immediately  fquat    under   Bufhea, 
Grafs,  *  or  whatever  elfe  prefents  itfelf  for  their  Purpofe. 
They  intirely  difappear;    or  if  they  have  not  a  fufficient 
Covering,   they  ftretch  themfelves  on    the  Ground,    and 
lye  as  if  they  were  dead.     They  are  feen  to  continue  in 
this  Pollure,  without  the  leaft  Motion,    a  whole  Quarter  of 
an  Hour,   and  fometimes  a  much  longer  Time.      In  the 
mean  while,    the  Mother  direds  her  View  upwards  with 
an  Air  of  Fear  and  Confufion ;    fhe  redoubles  her  Sighs, 
and  repeats    the  Cry  that  laid  all  the  Young   proftrate. 
Thofe  who  obferve  the  Diforder  of  this  Parent,    and  her 
anxious  Attention,    look  up  into  the  Air  to  difcover  the 
Caufe;    and  at  lall:  perceive  a  dark  Pomt  which  they  can 
hardly  diflinguiih,    floating  under  the  Clouds.     This  is  a 
Bird  of  Prey,    whofe  Diflance  withdraws   him  from  our 
View    but  who  cannot  efcape  either  the  Vigilance  or  Pe- 
netration of  our  Miflrefs  of  the  Family.     This  occafions 
her  Fears,  and  alarms  the  whole  Tribe.     I  have  feen  one 
of  thefe  Creatures  continue  in  this  Agitation,    and  her 
Young  in  a  manner  rivetted  to  the  Ground,    for  the  Spacej 
of  four  Hours  fuccefhvely,  whilft  the  Bird  whirled  about, 
afcended  and  darted  down  over  their  Heads.      But  if  he 
at  length  difappears,    the  Mother  changes  h^  Note,   and 
utters  another  Cry  that  revives  all  her  Brood ;    they  run! 
to  her,   they  flutter  their  Wings,   and  tender  her  their  Ca.| 
refles;    they  have  a  hundred  Things  to  tell  her    and  un-! 
doubtedly  relate  all  the  Dangers  to  which  they  have  been 
expofed.     They  bellow  their  Imprecations    on   the  vile 
gird. But  the  Subjea  grows  too  fportive  to  engage 

vour  Attention  any  longer.  .    ,   n  •  ,    a 

Prior.   Every  Circumflance  of  your  Ladyfhips  Account 

is  altogether  worthy  of  Obfervation.  Who  could  make 
this  Mother  acquainted  with  an  Enemy  who  never  inju- 
red her ;  and  as  yet,  had  not  committed  any  Ac^  of  Hofti- 


J%zA'JiP  /j}/.  -Z"  /^*^yf•   ^  ^-^ 


.l.TItt'  /f,r,y,/^M\/i'/-  J,jrt//h7  /lu  0"'/?.7/v/' ////,'  //<•  (<7('iti/  ,'f<t B/wu'/i B .^y/ic  iTennt  c'.'^/if  //tr/e/7' 


^/a/^j^  /^.  ^  /^'^^  -^  f-^ 


ficJi  B  ."^Ae  ITerrrji  c'U/ie  fun  en' 
^cHfJ^c  hf/mmni^  l^rc/LUhe  On^l , 


0/B  I  R  D  S.  171 

ty  in  the  Country  ?  And  how  could  fhe  be  abk  to  dif- 
over  this  unknown  at  fuch  a  Diftance  ?  What  Inflrudlions 
ad  fhe  given  her  Family,  to  diflinguifh,  according  to  the 
>ccafion,  the  diiFerent  Signification  of  her  Cries ;  and  to 
rgulate  their  Behaviour  by  her  Language  ?  All  thefe  Won- 
^rs  are  daily  obvious  to  our  View,  though  we  treat  them 
ith  Inattention.  In  reality,  the  Pidlure  her  Ladyihip 
IS  drawn,  is  much  more  engaging  than  fome  very  fe- 
ous  Diflertations. 

Countefs,   The  ?rhr  however  Hiuft  give  US  one,   on  the 
rudure  and  Flight  of  Birds. 

Prior.  That  I  fhall  readily  do.    ^Tis  a  Subjeft  perfedlly 
;reeable  to  my  Tafle. 
The  *  Body  of  a  Bird  is  neither  ex- 
^rnely  maiTive,    nor  equally  fubflantial  in        The  Form 
I  its  Parts ;    but   ^tis  well  difpofed    for     of  a  Bird, 
ight,  fharp  before,  and  gradually  increa- 
ig  in -Bulk,  'till  it  has  acquired    its  juft  Dimenfions, 
ich  a  Strudure  renders  it  more  adapted  to  cut  the  Air, 
d  make  itfelf  a  Paffage  through  that  Element. 
To  qualify  it  for  long  Flights,  in  which  Provifions  are 
t  always  to  be  obtained  ;    and  to  enable  it  to  pafs  away 
e  many  Hours  of  Winter  Nights  without  eating,  Nature 
s  fupplied  it,   under  the  Throat,  with  a 
g  called  the  Crop,    in  which  it  referves    The  Crop, 

Meat.      The  f  Fluid   in    which  this 
jms   facilitates  its  iirft  Digeftion.     The 
[7,zard,   into  which  no  more  than  a  very     The  Gizzard* 
lall  Quantity  of  the  Nourilliment  enters 

one  Time,    performs  the  reft,     and  frequently  by  the 
d  of  fuch  little  rugged  Stones  which  the  Bird  fwallows, 
order  to  break  the  Texture  of  the  Nutriment  the  bet- 
',  and  perhaps  to  keep  the  Paflages  clear. 
The  Bones  of  Birds,  though  of  a  Solidi- 
;y  fufficient  to  fuftain  the  Syftem  of  their     The  Bones- 
^Y^^  are  neverthelefs  fo  hollow  and  di- 
nutive,    that  they  fcarce  make   any  Addition  to    the 
eight  of  their  Flefli. 


*  DerhamTheol.  Phyf.  1.  vii, 
f-Wiliughby's  Ornitholog.  l.i.  ^_ 


I  z  The 


r72        D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E    X. 

The  whole  Plumage  is  artfully  formed 

and    dillributed,     as   well    to    fuftain    the     The  Feathers. 

Bird  as  to  defend  it  from  the  Injuries  of  the 

Air.      The  Quill  of  the  Feather  is,   at  the  fame  Time 

firm  and  light.     It  is  firm,  in  order  to  cleave  the  Air  with 

a  proper  Force :    It  is  light  and  hollow,  in  Proportion  tc 

its  Growth,  that  the  Bird  may  not  be  whelmed  downward 

inilead  of  being  raifed  aloft.      In  a  Word,    this  hollo\^ 

Quill,   or  we  may  rather  reprefent  it  as  filled  with  a  Bod) 

of  Air  more  dilated  and  lighter  than  the  external  Parts  o 

that  Element,  polTefTes  a  great  deal  of  Surface  with  litth 

Gravity,  which  places  the  Bird  almoft  in  Equilibrium  witl 

the  Air.      The  Feathers  are  inverted  behind,    and   laic 

one  over  another  in  a  regular  Order.     That  Part  of  their 

whicliisnext  the  Body,  is  furnifhed  with  a  warm  and  fof 

Down;    and  that  next  the  Air  is  arrayed  with  a  doubL 

Beard,  in  two  Ranks,    and  longer  at  one  End  than  at  th( 

other.     Thefe  Beards  are  a  Row  of  little  flat  and  thir 

Plates  or  Lamina,  difpofed  andinferted  in  a  Line,  as  perfef 

as  if  their  Extremities  had  been  cut  with  a  Pair  of  Scillars 

Each  of  thefe  Lamina  is  itfelf  a  Qiill  or  Bafis,    whicl 

fuilains  two  new  Ranks,  of  a  Minutenefs  that  almoll  ren 

ders  them  invifible,   and  which  exadly  clofes  up  all  th( 

little  Intervals  through  which  the  Air  might  be  infinua- 

ted.     The  Feathers  are  likewife  difpofed  in  fuch  a  Man 

ner  that  the  Range  of  the  little  Beards  of  the  one.  Aides 

plays,   end  difcovers  itfelf,    more  or  lefs,    under  the  greaii 

Beards  of  the  other  Feather  that  lyes  over  it.      A  nev^ 

Rank  of  leller  Feathers  ferves  as  a  Covering  to  the  Quilli 

of  the  larger.     The  Air  is  excluded  from  every  Part ;    b> 

which  means  the  Impulfe  of  the  Feathers  on  that  Fluw 

becomes  very  ftrong  and  efficacious,  ^ 

But  as  this  Oeconomy,  fo  neceffary  in  its  Conftitution, 
might  be  frequently  incommoded  by  Rains,  the  Author  o:! 
Nature  lias  furnifhed  Birds  with  an  Expedient  that  render 
their  Feathers  as  impenetrable  to  the  Water  as  they  art 
by  their  Strudure  to  the  Air.  *  All  Birds  have  a  Bag  fil-! 
led  with  Oil,  and  fliaped  like  a  Nipple,  the  Situation  d 
which  is  at  the  Extremity  of  their  Body.     This  NippU 

•  Willughby's  Ornitholog.  lib.  1, 

3 


0/  B  I  R  D  S.  173 

IS  feveral  little  Apertures,  and  when  the  Bird  finds  her 
gathers  dry,  foiled,  difcontinued  by  Gaps,  or  ready  to 
I  moiflened,  fhe  prefies  this  Nipple  with  her  Bill,  and 
irces  out  an  Oil,  or  fat  Humour  referved  in  the  Glands  y 
id  then  drawing  her  Bill  over  the  greatell  Part  of  her 
eathers  fucceflively,  oils  and  drefles  them,  gives  them  a 
uflre,  and  fills  up  all  the  Vacancies  with  this  vifcous 
latter  ;  after  which,  the  Water  only  Aides  over  the  Bird, 
id  finds  all  the  Avenues  to  her  Body  perfedly  clofed! 
ur  Poultry  who  live  under  a  Covert  have  a  lefs  Quantity 
"  this  Liquor  than  Birds  who. inhabit  the  open  Air;  for 
hich  Reafon,  a  Hen,  wlien  fhe  is  wet,  makes  a  ridicu- 
us  Figure:  On  the  contrary.  Swans,  Geeky  Ducks, 
[oorhens,  and  all  Birds  deftined  to  live  on  the  Water 
ive  their  Feathers  drefTed  with  Oil  from  their  very  Birth! 
heir  Magazine  contains  a  ProvifTon  of  this  Fluid,  pro- 
)rtionable  to  the  NecelTity  of  its  Confumption,  which  is 
•ntinually  returning;  their  very  Flefn  contrails  the 
[avour  of  it,  and  every  one  may  obferve  that  the  Care  of 
ling  their  Feathers  is  their  conllant  Employment. 
If  there  is  fo  much  Wifdom  in  the  Stru- 
are  of  the  Feathers,  there  is  no  lefs  in  The  Wings. 
e  Play  of  the  Wings  and  Tail,    in  order 

traverfe  the  Air.  Nothing  can  be  better  placed  than 
e  Wings ;  they  form  on  each  Side  two  Levers  which 
;ep  the  Body  in  a  juft  Poife ;  at  the  fame  Time  they  per- 
rm  the  Fundlion  of  Oars,  which,  by  bearing  on  the 
lement  that  refills  them,  advance  the  Body  in  a  contrary 
iredion. 

The  Tail  is  a  Counterpoife  to  the  Head 
d  Neck,  and  ferves  the  Bird  inllead  of  a     The  Tail, 
udder,    whilft  he   rows  with  his  Wings ; 
It  this  Rudder  is  not  only  inilrumental  in  preferving  the 
cjuilibrium  of  the  Flight ;    it  likewife  enables  the  Bird 
rife,  defcend,    and  turn  where  he  pleafes ;  for  as  foon  as 
e  Tail  is  direded  to  one  Point,    the  Head  turns  to  the 
>pofite  Quarter. 

Cheualier.  Though  I  don't  comprehend  how  Birds 
Jrform  their  Flight,  I  am  of  Opinion,  it  is  not  im- 
•aaicable  for  Man  to  imitate  them  ;  and  the  Birds  in- 
rua  him  in  the  Method  he  ought  to  obferve, 

1  3  Prior. 


174        D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E    X. 

Prior.  'Tis  certain  that  we  have  tfe  Principle  of  Mo 
tion  in  our  Legs  and  Arms ;  we  ^ewife  have,  in  th 
Feathers  of  Birds,  and  in  our  Linen  Cloth  and  Oil,  Mate 
rials  of  a  feeming  Fitnefs  to  form  Wings,  capable  both  o 
ilriking  and  impelling  the  Air,  without  being  pene 
jtrated  by  it.  The  Birds  fupply  us  with  a  Model  of  th 
A6lion,  and  at  firfl  View  it  feems  to  be  an  Invention  natu 
rally  prefented  to  us,  and  which  a  fmali  EfForu,  or  a  fev 
Reflexions,  would  fufFice  to  make  us  acquire  in  Pef 
fedion ;  but  I  believe  God,  in  confequence  of  his  provi 
dential  Care  of  Mankind,  has  oppofed  an  infuperablt 
Impediment  in  the  Way;  fo  that  this  Attempt,  which 
has  been  frequently  repeated,  hath  always  proved  un- 
fiiccefsful.  The  Art  of  Flying  would  be  the  greateil  Ca- 
lamity that  could  happen  to  Society. 

Chevalier.  On  the  contrary,  Sir,  I  ihould  think  thij 
Invention  would  fave  us  Abundance  of  Labour.  We 
friould  be  fooner  acquainted  with  what  we  are  defirouj 
of  knowing;  and  if  we  had  once  found  out  a  fmall 
Machine,  could  foon  build  a  larger.  We  fhould  not 
only  traverfe  the  Air  ourfelves,  but  might  likewife  convey 
Cargoes  of  Merchandize  through  that  Element.  By  thisj 
means  Commerce  — — 

Prior,    You  have  a  charming  Penetration,    Chevalier i 
and  are  the  bell  in  the  World  at  guefling  the  Advantages 
we  might  receive  from  this  Invention ;    but  thefe  Advan 
tages  would  not  countervail  the  Diforders  that  would  be 
introduced. 

Count,  This  is  certain,  that  were  Men  capable  of  Fly- 
ing, no  Avenue  could  be  inacceffible  to  Vengeance  and 
inordinate  Defires.  The  Habitations  of  Mankind  would 
be  fo  many  Theatres  of  Murder  and  Robbery.  What 
Precautions  could  we  take  againft  an  Enemy,  who  would 
be  capacitated  to  furprife  us  both  by  Day  and  Night? 
How  fhould  we  preferve  our  Money,  our  Furniture  and 
Fruits  from  the  Avidity  of  a  Set  of  Plunderers,  furnifhed 
with  good  Arms  to  force  open  our  Houfes,  and  as  good 
Wings  to  carry  off  their  Booty,  and  elude  our  Purfuit  >' 
This  Sort  of  Trade  would  be  the  Refuge  of  every  indigent- 
and  impious  Perfon, 

Prior. 


0/B  I  R  D  S.  175 

Prior.  I  may  add  to  this,  that  the  Art  we  are  now 
mentioning  would  intirely  change  the  Face  of  Nature; 
we  fhould  be  compelled  to  abandon  our  Cities  and  the 
Country,  and  to  bury  ourfelves  in  fubterraneous  Caves, 
or  imitate  Eagles  anJ  other  Birds  of  Prey ;  we  fliould 
retire  like  them  to  iaaccefhble  Rocks,  and  craggy  Moun« 
tains,  from  whence  we  Ihould,  from  time  to  time, 
fally  down  upon  the  Fruits  and  Animals  that  accom* 
mod  ate  our  Neceilities ;  and  from  the  Plain  we 
ihould  immediately  foar  up  to  our  Dens  and  Charnel 
Rooms. 

Countefs.  Ah!  Gentlemen,  you  make  me  tremble  at 
your  Art  of  Flying ;  and  I  bellow  before -hand  my  Im- 
precations at  the  Perfon,  who  fhail  attempt  to  make  it 
pradicable  Let  me  hear  no  more  of  Dens  and  Charnel 
Rooms.  Do  you  fee.  Chevalier,  what  you  expofe  us  to 
ivith  your  Inventions  ? 

Couni,  Make  yourfelf  eafy  on  this  Head.  We  need 
not  be  under  any  Apprehenfions  about  the  Art  of  Fly- 
ing, which  indeed  is  an  abfolute  Impoflibility ;  Na- 
ture herfelf  has  formed  an  Obftacle  againil  it,  that  is  in 
Pome  Meafure  made  invincible,  by  the  exceeding  Dif- 
proportion  between  the  Weight  of  the  Air  and  an  hu- 
man Body.  The  hollow  Machine  that  one  mull  ima- 
gine capable  of  fuilaining  the  Body  of  a  Man,  and 
placing  it  in  an  equal  Balance  with  the  Air,  would  be 
fo  immoderately  large   and   cumberfome,     that    learned 

n«4^rt     ^"^'"^       l%■,Ar»■r^A       f  Vi  <»     TV /f  o  n'' rr<3  t-r«  An  f       or^A      TTfA     (\f     'h     ■^- 

De  altogether  impradlicable,    and  as  much   forbidden  to 
Man  as  the  perpetual  Motion. 

Countefs.  Are  you  difpofed,  Gentlemen,  to  refume  the 
Subjecfl  of  Birds  to-morrow. 

Cou72t.  There  is  no  Want  of  Variety.  The  Difficulty 
[yes  in  confining  ourfelves  to  a  due  Limitation.  What 
(hall  be  the  Articles  of  our  Entertainment  > 

Prior,  Let  each  chufe  what  is  mofl  agreeable 
^o  his  Talle,  and  ferve  it  up  as  a  Country  Col- 
lation. 

Chevalier.  If  the  Prior  pleafes  to  be  my  Security, 
I  will  acquit  my felf  like  the  reil. 

I»4,  Countefs  t 


176  D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E    X. 

Comtefs,  For  my  Part,  Gentlemen,  I  promife  yoi 
before-hand  a  Bird  found  in  no  Place,  but  America, 
'tis  the  leaft  and  moft  beautiful  of  all  Birds,  anc 
fhould  it  not  be  fufRcient  for  you,  I  will  make  yow 
amends  with  an  Oflrich. 


T^he  End  of  the  tenth  Dialogue, 


D  I  A^ 


0/  B  I  R  D  a  177 


Dialogue    XI. 

The  Count  and  Countess,' 
The  Prior,  and 
The  Chevalier. 


Ihevalier.  "V/TEflerday  in  the  Evening  I  flipt  into  his 
X  Lordlhip's  Clofet,  where  I  found  Wil- 
ughbfs  Book  lying  open  on  the  Table.  I  ran  over  all 
he  different  Species  of  Birds,  who  are  there  iinely  deli- 
eated  and  coloured  after  the  Life,  and  my  Thoughts 
arned  on  nothing  elfe  all  the  Night ;  but  I  was  particu^ 
irly  furprifed  at  the  immoderate  Bill  and  Legs  I  obferved 
a  fome,  whilfl  others  had  a  very  fhort  Beak ;  and  were 
0  contraded  in  their  Legs,  that  the  Extremities  of 
iieir  Claws  were  hardly  difcernible.  After  all,  both  the 
ne  and  the  other  are  only  ordained  to  expatiate  in  the 
^ir,  and  feek  their  Food.  For  what  Reafon  then  is 
bere  fuch  a  prodigious  Variety  in  their  Wings,  their 
tills,  their  Claws,  and  every  other  Part  ?  Are  all  thefe 
ifferent  Forms  no  more  than  the  Play  of  Nature ;  or  do 
hey  tend  to  any  particular  Purpofe  ?   - 

Count,  The  Inequality  you  obferve  in  the  Bills  of 
bele  Creatures,  does  not  correfpond  with  the  Diffe- 
ences  you  difcover  in  the  Nofes  of  Men ;  for  in  thefe, 
n  Inch  more  or  lefs  conilitutes  all  the  Diverfity  between 
be    longeil    and    faorteft.      In    every   other    Particular 

I  5  the 


178        D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E    XI. 

the  Strufture  and  Ufe  are  the  fame ;  whereas,  in  the  va- 
rious Species  of  Animals,  the   Bill,    the  Talons,    the  Di- 
menfions  of  their  Wings,  and  generally  all   the  Parts  of 
their  Bodies  are  calculated  for  the  Accommodation  of  their 
Wants.     They  are  a  fet  of  Implements  proportioned    to 
the  Nature  of  their  Labours,  and  Manner  of  Life.     A  few 
Inftances  will  be  fufficient  to  juftify  my  Sentiments.  Spar- 
rows and  the  Generality  of  fmall  Birds,  are  fupported  by 
the  little  Grains  they  find  either  in   our  Houfes ,    or  the 
Country.     They  have  no  Efforts  to  make,  in  order  to  ob- 
tain their  Food,  or  break  it  in  Pieces,  and  therefore  have 
a  fmall  Bill ;  their  Neck  and  Legs  are  very  fhort,    and 
fufHce  their  Purpofe.     But  the  Cafe  is  dif- 
The  Wo«id-      ferent,  with  refped  to  the  Woodcock,  the 
cock.  Snipe,  the  Curlew,  and  a  Variety  of  others ; 

who  feek  their  Aliment  very  deep  in  the 
Earth,  and  in  Slime,  from  whence  they  draw  th^  little 
Shell-filli,  and  Worms  that  fuftain  them.  Nature  has  fup- 
plied  thefe  Creatures  with  a  very  long  Neck  and  Bill ; 
and  with  thefe  Inftruments  they  dig,  and  fearch,  and 
want  for  nothing. 

The  Woodpecker,  who  lives  in  a  very 
The  Wood-     different  Manner,  is  therefore  as  different  i« 
pecker.  the  Structure  of  his  Body.     His  Bill  is  very- 

long,  and  of  an  extraordinary  Strength  and 
Solidity  ;  his  Tongue  is  iharp,  extreamly  longj  and  befide 
that,  it  is  armed  v;ith  little  Points,  and  always  covered 
with  Glew  towards  its  Extremity.  He  has  ihort  Legs, 
two  Talons  before,  and  as  many  behind,  and  all  very 
crooked.  All  this  Equipage  relates  to  its  Manner  of  liv- 
ing, and  obtaining  its  Prey.  This  Bird  derives  its  Subfifience  ' 
from  little  Worms,  or  Infeds,  who  live  in  the  Heart  of 
.certain  Branches,  and  moil  commonly  under  the  Bark  of  old 
Wood.  'Tis  very  ufual  to  find  the  Retreat  of  thefe  mi- 
nute Animals,  funk  very  deep  in  large  Billets,  under  the 
Bark,  which  eafily  peels  off.  The  Woodpecker  ihould  be 
provided  with  hooked  Claws,  in  order  to  grafp  the  Branches 
where  he  faftens.  Long  Legs  would  be  ufelefs  to  him, 
for  his  Attainment  of  what  lyes  under  the  Bark  ;  but  a 
ilrong;  and  pointed  Bill  was  neceffary  for  him,  to  find  out 
by  darting  it  up  and  down  the  Branches,  what  Places  arc 
VQid  and  rotten.  He  flops  where  the  Branch  founds  hol- 
low^ 


q/'B'IRDS.  179 

low,  and  with  his  Bill  fhatters  the  Bark  and  Wood  ;  after 
which,  he  injeds  his  Bill  into  the  Orifice  he  has  made, 
and  fends  forth  a  loud  Cry,  or  a  kind  of  whiftling  Sound, 
into  the  Cavity  of  the  Tree,  in  order  to  alarm  the  Tnfeds 
who  fleep  there,  and  put  them  in  Motion.  He  then  darts 
his  Tongue  into  the  Aperture^  and  by  the  AlTiltance  of 
the  fmall  Points,  which  rife  out  of  that  Tongue,  and  the 
Glew  which  rolls  over  it,  he  draws  out  all  the  little  Ani- 
mals he  finds  there,  and  regales  himfelf  with  the  Prey. 

The  Heron  quite  contrary  to  the  Wood- 
pecker, is  mounted  aloft,  his  Legs  and  The  Heron. 
Thighs  are  very  long,  and  entirely  defti- 
tute  of  Plumage,-  he  has  a  great  Length  of  Neck,  and 
an  enormous  Bill,  very  (harp,  and  jagged  at  the  Extremi- 
ty. What  Reafons  can  be  alTigned  for  a  Figure,  which 
at  firfl  feems  ib  extravagant  ?  The  Heron  feeds  on  Frogs, 
little  SheiUfril],  as  well  as  the  other  Fifh  he  finds  in  Fens, 
or  near  the  Shores  of  Rivers  and  the  Sea.  He  wants  no 
Feathers  on  his  Thighs,  to  enable  him  to  m.arch  through 
the  Water  and  Slime  ;  but  very  tall  Legs  are  exceeding 
ufeful  to  him,  as  they  qualify  him  for  running,  more  or 
lefs  in  the  Water,  along  the  Shores,  where  the  Fifh  ufually 
refort  for  their  Food.  A  long  Neck  and  Bill  make  him 
capable  of  purluing  and  feizing  his  Prey  at  a  confidera- 
ble  Difiance  ;  the  crooked  Turn  and  Jags  of  his  Bill,  that 
bend  like  Hooks,  enab'e  him  to  detain  the  Fifli,  who 
would  otherwiie  Hide  away,  and  efcape  him.  In  a  Word, 
his  large  Wings>  that  may  feem  incommodious  to  an  Ani- 
mal of  fo  fmall  a  Body  as  a  Heron,  are  infinitely  affiftant 
to  him  in  making  great  Movements  in  the  Air,  and  con- 
veying weighty  Burdens  to  his  Neft,  which  is  fometimes 
feated  one  or  two  Leagues  from  the  Place  where  he  fifhes. 
A  Friend  of  mine,  who  has  an  ERate  in  Jbbe^jille,  bound- 
ed by  a  little  River  plentifully  ftored  with  Eels,  faw  a 
Heron  one  Day  carry  off  one  of  the  largeR  of  thofe  Crea- 
tures, into  his  Hernery,  in  fpite  of  all  the  Efforts  and  Un- 
dulations of  the  Eel  to  oppofe  his  Flight.  What  we  hav^ 
obferved  of  the  Heron,  is  applicable  to  feveml  other  Spe- 
cies which  refemble  him . 

Countefs.  This  is  the  firll  Time  I  have  heard  any  Ob- 
fervations  made  on  the  UTe  of  thefe  Bills,  which  till  now 
fecnied  a  little  extravagant  to  me.     But  I  am  fenfible  the 

I  6  Imper- 


i8o        DIALOGUE    XI. 

Imperfedlon  belongs  to  myfelf,  and  all  our  Cenfures  of 
Nature  are  really  fo  many  ConfeiTions  of  our  own  Ignorance. 
I  don't  know,  for  Inftance,  wherein  the  prodigious  Bill  of  a 
Stork  can  be  ferviceable ;  but  Ihall  never  prevail  on  my- 
felf to  cavil  at  it. 

She  digs  into  the  Earth  with  it,  for  Ser- 

The  Stork.       pents  and    Adders,    which  (he  afterwards 
conveys  to  her  Young,  to  whom  the  Poifori 
of  thefe  Animals  is  perfedlly  inofFenfwe. 

Countefs.  Its  jult  Proportion   is  now  very   evident,    and 
in  Reafoning  on   this   Subjeft,    methinks  I 

The  Swan.       fliall  be  able  to  guefs,    why  the    Swans  we 
fee  on  the  Canal  below,  have  a  long  Neck, 

Geefeand         and    a   broad   Bill.     Swans,    Geele,    and 
Bucks.  Ducks  are  perpetually  raking  at  the  Bottom 

of  the  Water,  becaufe  they  there  find  fome 
of  the  little  Vermin,  or  Worms  you  fpoke  of  the  other 
Day.  As  they  are  always  fwimming  without  being  able 
to  fmk,  they  ought  to  have  a  long  Neck  capable  of  ex- 
tending to  the  Bottom ;  and  therefore  fhould  they  not, 
quite  contrary  to  other  Birds,  have  a  very  broad  Bill,  to 
take  in  at  one  Time  a  larger  Quantity  of  Slime  and  Gra- 
vel, and  feize  all  the  Worms  found  there,  by  feparating 
them  from  the  other  Matter,  in  which  they  are  found  .? 
I  even  fufped,  that  the  upper  Part  of  their  Bill  is  pierced, 
in  order  to  difcharge  the  Water  through  that  Opening,  and  " 
that  they  may  only  fwallow  the  Fifh,  or  Infe6l  they  have 
taken.  Inilead  of  thofe  crooked  Talons,  with  which  Birds 
who  feed  on  Flelh,  are  able  to  feize  and  turn  their  Prey, 
and  fallen  on  the  Branches  where  they  fettle ;  Swans, 
Geefe,  and  Ducks  have  flat  Feet,  or  large  Paws,  accom- 
modated with  Films,  or  Skins,  which  they  extend  in  the 
Form  of  Fins,  and  with  which  they  impel  the  Water  one 
Way,  that  they  may  advance  another.  The  Prior  fees  I 
am  mighty  fagacious.  All  this  is  very  difficult  to  be  ex- 
plained. 

Prior,  The  Merit  of  Natural  Philofophers,  Madam, 
among  whom  we  rank  your  Lady  (hip  at  prefent,  does 
net  always  confill  in  foiving  DifHculties ;  but  rather  in 
turning  their  Eyes  on  Points  unobferved  by  others,  and 
commonly  treated  with  Contempt.  Nothing  is  more  un- 
ufual  than  to  meet  yvith  People  who  think  and  refled. 

Countefu 


0/  B  I  R  D  S.  rSi 

Countefs,  We  Women  are  difcharged  from  that  Care, 
and  it  feems  the  Men  do  not  ufually  expedl  Thought 
from  us.  Among  them,  a  little  fhining  Livelinefs  fup- 
plies  us  with  every  neceflary  Accomplifliment. 

Prior,  I  muft  confefs  their  Indulgence  is  very  great  in 
this  Particular,  and  your  Ladylhip  has  no  Occaiion  to 
complain  of  them. 

Countefs.  On  the  contrary,  permit  me  to  tell  you,  we 
have  infinite  Reafon  to  complain  of  fuch  a  Proceeding, 
and  receive  irreparable  Injury  from  the  Mifapplication  of 
this  Indulgence;  'tis  this  which  renders  us  vain,  indolent, 
incapable  of  Elevation,  ignorant,  unpenetrating,  and  irre- 
folute,-  and  we  may  be  certain,  that  the  Men,  by  the 
Conduft  they  obferve  with  refpedl  to  us,  labour  to  form  in 
our  Minds  all  thofe  Imperfe«5lions  for  which  they  reproach 
us.  Is  it  not  one  of  the  Maxims  of  their  Politenefs,  to 
entertain  us  with  nothing  but  Trifles  ?  In  the  Language 
we  receive  from  them,  and  the  AfTiduities  with  which  they 
treat  us,  it  is  evident,  they  regard  us  either  as  Children, 
or  Idols.  Their  Converfation  with  us,  is  always  confined 
to  Modes,  or  Play,  and  a  certain  polite  Jargon.  Tis  a 
kind  of  Miracle,  when  any  one  of  our  Sex  preferves  her 
Underllanding  from  the  common  Wreck,  and  difcovers  a 
little  Juftnefs  and  Solidity.  We  fuftain  no  great  Lofs,  by 
not  being  inftruded  in  the  ancient  Languages,  and  I  have 
a  perfedl  Indifference  for  thofe  learned  Refearches,  and 
gloomy  Sciences,  which  by  an  immoderate  Application  to 
them,  make  us  ufelefs  to  Society  :  But  our  Fate  is  to  be 
lamented,  in  that  the  Generality  of  us  have  no  folid 
Knowledge  of  our  Religion;  no  Acquaintance  with  the 
Hiflory  of  Mankind,  which  is  alfo  the  Hiftory  of  the 
Heart  of  Man  ;  and  fcarce  any  Idea  of  the  Works  of  the 
Deity.  For  my  Part,  I  aflure  you,  the  People  I  have 
met  with  feem'd  in  a  Combination  to  ruin  the  little  good 
Senfe  that  might  be  difcoverable  in  me.  The  Count  was 
the  fir  ft  who  did  me  the  Juftice  to  believe  I  had  my 
Share  of  Reafon  as  well  as  the  reft.  It  was  evident  by  tliC 
Converfation  with  which  he  entertained  me,  that  he  judg- 
ed me  capable  of  Thinking;  and  is  it  not  doing  me  Ho- 
nour to  believe  me  not  unworthy  to  hear  Difcourfes  on 
Things  that  z\^tT:y  where  prefent  themfelves  to  our  View, 
or  are  moft  effential  to  Life  \   to  know  why  a  Tree  rifes 

in 


i82  D  lA  L  O  G  U  E    XT. 

in  fuch  a  Shape ;  to  be  acquainted  with  the  Cultivations 
of  the  Earth,  and  the  Qualities  of  a  Plant  that  fprings  at 
our  Feet,  when  we  are  v/alking  ?  Since  his  Lordihip  has 
led  me  into  a  Habit  of  thinking,  and  employing  myfelf- 
to  Advantage,  my  Country  Seat  has  feemed  to  me  an 
earthly  Paradife.  1  enjoy  Beauties  and  Treafures  with 
which  Nature  abounds,  but  which  were  fo  many  loft" 
Treafures  to  me,  when  I  was  not  fo  much  as  acquainted 
with  their  Names. 

Count.  Your  Complaints  againil   our  Sex  are,  without^ 
doubt,  very  jullly  founded.     But    I   cannot  fay    the  fame 
with  refped  to  your  Confeffion  of  the  dil'agreeable   Qua- - 
hties  of  the  Ladies.     There  are  certainly  great  Numbers 
of  them,  in  whom   good  Sen fe  is  the   prevailing  Accom- 
pliihment;  and  wliofe  Underlianding.  is  equally  judicious  ^ 
and  delicate;  whether  they  owe  this  Solidity   to  a  happy 
Cultivation,  or  v/hether  the  Finenefs  of  their -Genius  re-  - 
difies  the  Defeds  of  a  weak  Education.     But   whilft  you  ^ 
are  lam.enting  the  Ladies  Fate,   and  I  am  offering  an  Apo- 
logy^  for  them,  we  take  no  Notice  that  the  poor   Che^va^ 
Her  is  half  aileep. 

Countefs.  He   is  not  to  be  blamed,     I   have  prom  i fed  i 
him  a  Couple  of  foreign  Birds,    and  inflead  of  them  give 
him  a  Lefture  in   Morality.     What  1  am  now  going,  Sir,  .. 
to  acquaint  you  w^ith,  I  had  from  a  Merchant  ?LtSt.Ma!o,  a 
great  1  raveller,  and  one  who  had  contraded  with  my  Lord,     ' 
to  furnilh  his  Cabinet  with  foreign  Curiofities.     Six  Months 
ago  he  paid  us  a  Vifit,  at  his  Return  from  a  new  Voyage 
he  had  made  to  America,  and  the  Coafts  of  Guiney,     He  •  i 
prefented  me  with  two  Humming   Birds,   and   as    many 
Eggs  of  an  Oftrich,  and  informed  us  of  feveral  entertain- 
ing Particulars,  relating  to  thefe  Creatures. 

The    *  Humming    Bird    is    peculiar    to  ' 

Jmerica,  and  may   pafs  for  a  little  Mira-        The  Hum- 
cle   of  Nature,  as  well   for  its  Beauty,  as     ming  Bird. 
Its  Manner  of  living,  and  exceeding  Small- 
nefs      It  is  not  bigger  than   a  large  Yly,    but  is  decked 
with  fuch  a  beautiful  Plumage,  that  its  Neck  and  Wings 
have  all  the  lucid  Colours  of  the  Rainbow.     His  Neck  is 

*  BIbiioth.  univ.  &  hift.   Anno  1687.     Obferv.  cur.  Tom.  II. 

tinged 


0/  B  I  R  D  S  183 

tinged  with  fuch  a  glowing  Red>  that  one  might  imagine 
it  to  be  a  Ruby.  The  Belly,,  and  nether  Part  of  the 
Wings,  are  as  yellow  as  Gold ;  and  the  T'highs  appear 
green  as  an  Emerald  :  The  Feet  and  Bill  are  black,  and 
poliihed  like  Ebony.  The  Eyes  difplay  two  oval  Dia- 
monds, and  refemble  the  Colour  of  poliihed  Steel.  The 
Head  is  green,  intermixed  with  Gold  of  a  furprifmg  Luf- 
tre.  A  little  Tuft  rifes  on  the  Heads  of  the  Males,  and  is 
an  Ailemblage  of  all  the  Colours  that  fhine  in  the  other 
Parts  of  the  Body.  Thefe  Birds  fly  fo  fwiftly,  that  they 
are  rather  heard  than  feen.  We  are  told,  that  Dews  and 
the  Juices  of  Flowers  are  their  Food,  which  they  extraft 
with  their  little  Tongue,  whofe  Length  exceeds  that  of 
their  Bill,  and  ferves  them  inftead  of  a  Trunk,  which 
they  contrad  and  flieath  in  their  Bill.  This  Bill,  which 
is  not  larger  than  a  fine  Needle,  makes  them  formidabk 
to  th€  great  Birds  called  Grojbecs,  who  endeavour  to  fur- 
prife  the  Young  of  the  Humming  Bird  in  their  NeO:; 
but  when  the  Dam  raak^s  her  Appearance,  the  Invader 
flies  off",  and  cries  with  all  his  Might,  becaufe  he  is  fen- 
fible  what  an  Enemy  he  has  to  contend  with.  The  Hum- 
ming Bird  purfues  him  clofe ,  and  if  he  can  come  up 
with  him,  faftens  himfelf  with  his  little  Talons,  un- 
der the  Wing  of  his  Enemy,  and  pierces  him  with  his 
pointed  B«^ak ,  till  he  has  made  him  incapable 
of  Combat.  You  may  fee  in  that  Box  two  of  thefe 
pretty  Birds,  who,  though  they  have  been  fufficiently 
dried.  Hill  retain  a  confiderable  Part  of  their  rich  Colours. 
You  fee  they  are  hung,  by  their  little  Feet,  to  a  fmall 
Ring  of  Gold  in  the  Form  of  Pendants,  becaufe  the  Ladies 
of  Mexico,  apply  them  to  that  Ufe;  and  it  mult  be  con- 
felTed,  no  Pearls  can  equal  them  in  Beauty. 

Chevalier.  Thefe -are  Birds  in  Miniature  indeed.  Your 
Butterflies  can't  ihew  more  amiable  Colours.  But,  Madam, 
I  fliall  be  glad  to  know  if  this  charming  Scent  be  natural 
to  them. 

Countefs,  Several  People  believe  it  proceeds  from  the 
Juices  of  the  Flowers  that  nourifli  them  ;  but  my  Merchant 
is  of  Opinion,  that  a  little  A mbergreafe,  or  fragrant  Gum 
is  vvrapp'd  in  the  Cotton,  with  which  they  are  filled,  for 
their  better  Prefervation. 

Counts 


i84         DIALOGUE    XI. 

Count.  The  befl:  expedient  to  fecure  them  from  being 
injured  by  Mites,  and  other  Infedls,  is  to  lodge  them  in 
Cafkets  compofed  of  feveral  Glafs  Plates,  whofe  Extremi- 
ties are  neatly  joined  with  Bandages  of  Parchment,  that 
have  either  been  drenched  in  a  bitter  Gum,  or  are  filled 
with  Glafs  reduced  to  Powder. 

Chevalier,  This  indeed  will  prevent  them  from  being 
penetrated  by  the  Teeth,  and  Piercers  of  Infeds :  But  her 
Ladyfliip,  if  I  am  not  miftaken,  has  promifed  us  the 
Hiflory  of  the  Oilrich. 

Countefs.  This  is  one  of  the  largeil  Birds  *  in  the  World, 
and  they  are  more  numerous  in  Africa,  than  in  any  other 
Country  :  Her  Head  rifes  to  the  Heighth  of  a  Man  on 
Horfeback,  and  is  fometimes  more  lofty  :  Her  Head  and 
Bill  relemble  thofe  of  a  Duck  :  Her  Neck  is  like  a  Swan's, 
but  greatly  exceeds  it  in  Length :  Her  Body  bears  fome 
Similitude  to  the  CamePs,  having,  like  that  Creature,  a 
long  Neck,  and  a  rifing  Back.  The  two  Wings  of  the 
Oftrich  are  very  flrong,  but  too  (hort  to  raife  her  from  the 
Ground,  and  f  only  ferve  her  inflead  of  Sails,  or  Oars,  to 
enable  her  to  cut  through,  and  impel  the  Air,  and  add 
an  extraordinary  Swiftnefs  to  her  Motion,  when  Ihe  runs. 
She  has  the  Legs  and  Thighs  of  an  Heron,  Allowance 
being  made  for  the  djfFereni  Proportion :  Each  Foot  refls 
on  three  Claws,  armed  with  Horn,  to  facilitate  lier 
march. 

Her  Eggs  are  as  big  as  an  Infant's  Head :  The  Shell 
has  Veins  drawn  over  its  Surface,  like  Marble,  is  very 
fhining,  and  perfedly  Vv^ell  poliihed.  I  v^ill  fhew  you  a 
Couple  that  were  prefented  to  me.  Tis  the  Cufiom  of 
the  Oilrich  to  hide  them  inconfiderately  in  the  c>and  ;  and, 
4-  to  leave,  as  we  are  told,  the  Care  of  hatching  them  to 
the  Sun.  This  Difpofition,  that  feems  to  inanifefl  fo 
much  Difregard  to  her  Voung,  has  acquir'd  her  no  extra- 
ordinary Reputation. '!n  all  Countries  where  fhe  i.s  known, 
when  they  would  ipeak  of  a  Mother  wlxo  has  little  Ten- 
dernefs  for  her  Children,  they  compare  her  to  the  O- 
flrich. 


*  Willughby's  Oraithol.  lib.  xii. 

t  DIod.  Sicul.  lib.  iii. 

4.  Job  xxxix.  14,  j6»  Lamentatignsof  Jerenif  c,  iv.  vcr.  3< 


Some 


J'/a/^2c/^(^.  7^/UWJS4 


Of  BIRD  S.  185 

Some  *  Travellers,  as  my  Merchant  inform^  me,  have 
mdeavoured  to  excufe  her  and  affirm,  ihe  is  careful  to 
eave  a  Quantity  of  Worms  near  her  Eggs,  that  her  Young 
nay  find  proper  Nourifhment  when  they  iflue  from  the 
)hell.  Some  have  pretended  to  difcover  an  admirable  Dif- 
:ernment  in  the  Oilrich,  which  f  inclines  her  carefully 
b  warm  thofe  Eggs,  which  are  to  be  prolific,  and  to 
legled  the  reft,  that  they  may  ferve  for  Nourifhment  to 
ler  Young,  when  they  come  to  be  hatched.  But  this  has 
I  confiderable  Caft  of  the  Fable  ;  and  it  muft  be  acknow- 
edged,  that  the  Prudence  of  other  Animals  is  not  vifible  in 
he  Oftrich.  She  leaves  her  Eggs  in  the  Sand,  liable  to  be 
:rufhed  by  the  Feet  of  Paffengers,  which  is  no  extraordi- 
lary  Inftance  of  Precaution :  But  another  Circumftance, 
vhich  has  given  Birth  to  the  Remark,  that  her  Condud: 
s  not  regulated  by  the  Brain,  is  this :  When  fhe  is  pur- 
sued by  the  Hunters,  fhe  runs  to  hide  her  Head,  and 
particularly  her  Eyes,  behind  a  Tree;  all  the  reft  of  her 
arge  Body  is  expofed  to  View,  but  as  fhe  no  longer  fees 
he  Hunter,  fhe  imagines  that  fufficient,  and  believes  ihe 
las  nothing  to  apprehend. 

Chevalier,  Is  it  true,  my  Lord,  that  Oftriches  eat  and 
ligeft  Iron,  as  I  have  heard  ? 

Count,  It  is  certain,  they  fwallow  fmall  Pieces  of  that 
VIetal,  as  other  Birds  take  down  Pebble  Stones,  but  they 
ire  not  digefted  by  thefe  Animals ;  and  if  they  fwallow 
:hem,  'tis  not  to  derive  any  Nouriftiment  from  them,  but 
jnlyto  bruife  and  grind  the  Food  in  their  Stomach,  to^ 
moderate  the  Operation  of  an  excefTive  Heat,  and  by  its 
Weight  open  the  PafTages  into  the  Inteftines. 

Countefs.  Before  we  leave  the  Oftrich,  who  has  had 
mt  an  indifferent  Character  from  us,  let  us  relate  all  the  ad- 
vantageous Things  that  we  can  fay  in  her  Favour.  She  fur- 
nifties  us  with  moft  lovely  Feathers,  very  broad  and  long, 
fome  white,  others  black,  but  which  are  tinged  by  Art 
with  all  the  Variety  of  Colours:  They  are  placed  as  Or- 
naments on  the  Tefters  of  Beds,  the  Canopies  of  great 
Men,  and  the  Caps  of  Children ;  They  adorn  the  Hats 
of  Gentlemen,    and  furnifli  the  Ladies  with   very  pretty 

*  Derham,  Theol.  Phyf.  1.  iv.  c.  i^.  8c  lib.  vii.  c.  4t 
t  iElian.  Hift.  lib.  xiv-   c,  7,  &  lib.  iv.  c.  37, 

Fans 


i86        DIALOGUE     XL 

Fans:  They  add  Height  to  the  Stature  of  Tragedians^ 
and  it  muft  be  confeffed,  the  Theatrical  Heroes  would 
lofe  a  confiderable  Part  of  their  Grandeur,  were  they  di- 
veited  of  the  Oilriches  Plumes. 

Gentlemen;  I  have  prefented  you  with  the  leaft  and 
largeil  of  all  Birds.  You  may  fix  your  Choice  between 
thefe  two  Extremes ;  the  Field  is  very  fpacious. 

Prior.  'Tis  fo  fpicious  that  I  am  intirely  loil,    and  own«! 
myfelf  confounded  by  the  very  Abundarxe  1  difcovered. 

Countefs.    Since  all  Subjeds  are  alike  to  you,    let  me. 
appoint   each  his  Part.     The  Frior^    as  he  is   a  Man   of 
goodTafte,    ought  to  charge  himielf  with   the    Recom- 
mendation   of  Birds  valuable   either    for    the  Melody  of 
their  Notes,    or  the  Beaity  of  their  Plumage.      But  he : 
fliall  be  releafed  from  this  Tafk,    when  he  has  favoured 
us  with  a  few  Words  on  the  Nightingale  and  Peacock ;  and 
he  will  hardly  complain  of  the  Part  allotted  him.      His 
Lordfhip,    as  he  is  a  great  Sportfman,    fhould  prefent  us- 
with  Birds  of  Prey ;   and  the  Chevalier  has  told  me,  in  a^ 
Whifper,    that  he  has  referved  the  Birds  of  PafTage  for" 
€ur  Entertainment.     In  my  Opinion,     thefe  are  all   the- 
Species,    unlefs  any  one  has  an  Inclination  to   add  the 
Bat  and  Owl. 

Prior.  Of  all  the  Claffes  of  Birds,  none  prove  morer 
agreeable  Companions  to  Man,  than  thofe  who  enjoy  the 
Gift  of  Harmony  and  Speech.  But  what  Pleafures  fo- 
everthey  adminifter,  they  are  all  Foils  to  the  Nightingale, 

VTiiv  mum?  cnarxYis  US  as  much  as  ttie  vvnoieuana  or  trk^ 
other  Species.  After  we  have  liilened  to  the  moll  melo- 
dious Symphony,  we  are  agreeably  furprifed  to  hear  an 
excellent  Violin,  unaccompanied  by  any  other  Inflru- 
ment.  Let  Signior  Geminiani,  in  the  midft  of  a  fine 
Concert,  begin  a  Solo,  and  enchant  us  with  thofe  Strokes 
of  his  Bow,  that  fo  wonderfally  diftinguifh  him  :  Every. 
Ear  is  all  Attention;  we  admire  the  extraordinary  Force 
with  which  he  draws  and  modulates  his  Tones,  nor  are 
we  lefs  afFe6i:ed  with  the  exceeding  Softnefs  infeparab! 
from  them  :  He  always  knows  how  to  diverfify  his  Play 
and  his  Performance  receives  an  infinite  Contrafi:  fro 
what  preceded,  and  communicates  Agreeablenefs  ani 
Value  to  the  Airs  that  follow.  He  leads  the  Ear  fro 
Woijdjsr.  to  Wonder.      All    the.  Audience    is.    tranfporte 

with 


Of     B    I    R    D    S.  187 

vith  the  Charms  of  the  Harmony ;  and  the  mofl  fcru- 
)ulous  Judges  perceive  throughout  the  whole  a  Multitude 
:nd  Juftnefs  of  Proportions  that  entertain  them ,  with  an 
ntire  Orcheftre  in  a  fmgle  Inflrument.  'Tis  the  very 
ame  in  a  Concert  of  Birds :  After  we  have  heard  a  full 
;:horus  celebrate  the  Author  of  Nature,  and  proclaim 
he  Bounties  of  him  who  fuflains  them,  *tis  an  agreeable 
Novelty,  in  the  Evening  to  hear  the  Nightingale  begin 
0  fing  by  himfelf,  and  continue  his  Notes  till  the  Night 
le  far  advanced.  One  would  imagine  him  fcnfible  of  the 
i/lerit  of  his  Accompliihments ;  and  that  it  is  in  Com^ 
)]aifance  to  Man,  as  well  as  for  his  own  Satisfadicn,  that 
le  is  pleafed  to  fmg  when  all.  the  reft  are  fileiit.  Nothing 
.nimates  him  fo  much  as  the  Stillnefs  of  Nature.  He 
hen  compofes  and  executes  all  his  Harmony.  He  rifes 
rom  Solemnity  to  Sprightlinefs  of  Sound,  and  warbles 
r-om  a  ferious  Song  to  a  more  fportive  Tranfition,  after 
vhich  he  foftens  the  lighteft  Quavers  and  Divifions  into 
he  moll  languifhing  and  plaintive  Strains,  and  at  lafl 
eturns  to  the  natural  Chearfulnefs  of  his  Melody.  One 
s  often  tempted  to  gain  a  View  of  the  amiable  Mufician 
vho  fo  obligingly  amufes  us  each  Morn  and  Evening. 
Ve  fearch  for  him  and  ftill  he  lyes  con^e^Jf^.  A  great 
jenius  has  its  capricious  Peculiarities.  "  *  *li&  we  only 
lear  him,  our  Imagination  is  apt  to  lend  him  a  llately 
Ihape.  We  fuppole  he  ought  to  have  a  vigorous  Breaft 
md  indefatigable  Organs,  to  furnifh  out  and  fuftain,  vvith- 
)ut  lansfuifhine ,    fuch  a    Strenp-th    and  n^-'--^-^"«'V    ^r 

lound ;  fuch  multiplied  and  flriking  Proportions ,  fuch 
,  prodigious  Variety  of  Mufic ;  and  yet  we  £nd  it  the 
rhroat  of  a  very  little  Bird,  who,  without  a  Mafler,  Stu* 
ly,  or  Preparation,  accomplifhes  all  thele  Wonders. 

What  the  Nightingale    is    to   the   Ear, 
he  Peacock  is  to  the  Eye.       It   muil   be     The  Peacock, 
Tanted,    that   the  Cock,    the  Wild -Duck, 
nd  the  King's   Fifher,    the  Goldiiach,    the  Parrot,    and 
he  Pheafant,   with  a  Variety  of    other    Birds,    are   very 
nely  array'd,     and    we    are  delighted    with    the    Con- 
ideration  of  their  Ornaments,    and  the  elegant  Tafte  of 
heir  different  Vellures,    but   when    the  Peacock   appears, 
very  Eye  is  allured.     The  Air  of   his  Head ;    the   eafy 
furn  of  his  Shapes    the  blended  Cglo'ars  of  his  Body; 

the 


«88        D  I  A  t  O  G  U  E    XI 

ever,    tliis  is  the  tatcthty  of  the  Pe^cnrhr  -    h^  ^-/r.-r 
an  his  Beholders:  Hecan  neither  taSnorfxne.    '^'ft' 
guage  ,s  locking,  'tis  a  Cry  capable  onnfpTrL  ot  withi 
Horror;    whereas  the  Lineet     fh,.  TmnJr^T^,^. 

;,T     4f°»»Pl*nie"»,   live   with  »s  aeen  Yeanor 

I  h^u5  "S'""""^^!'    «nd  of  a  iong  Duration.  ^ 
of  A^inft  ^''^''^"^'!'';  P'^^^P^'    too  "much  on  the  Artidei. 

«oUr^2&?Wh'  r^nt^'y  P^of^ffion.      It   will   be 

r  fl-  th?^> --  ^°''^^^P '°  '"''"^'^  "^  ^"^^  Falcon. 
/,  lortJia^.--  .      proper  Recreation  of  a  Gentleman 

voradous  Oualit;:7'BL'i  aSta^Sf  Ser'S  em! 

ttrafe''a?w.  '^'"'*-  ^'^''^  <^alled^  Malignant  bLufe 
(of^tW  de£^'  ""r^?"/  '""';  '^^  "'"ft  »™°^ou's  Species, 
ack  onlv  P-  ^^  ^fr.^"^  ^"^^  ^"d  Ravens,  who  at- 
fem  SirrtTr  p'^/^i'^^'^^^  °^  elfe  by  mploying 
Se  Sfi  t  ?  ^''■'^t'^hofeFIefh  affords  the  moll  ex- 
fuch  are  thep!^^  -7^°  ^T  ^'  ^  8^^^^  ^iftance  from  usi 
Sportf  the  P^,  ^'  and  Pheafant.  For  thefe  different 
ff  the  M.f  °"(.  'o^' '^''■^^'^°"'  theLanner,  the  Sa- 
eZcr^ed  £^'-  '^'  ^^'f'''^'  ^"^  ^ofshawk  'are  much 
n.ore  fer'vic?! '"  ^T'^K  '^^  ^^^^^n,  and  Hawk  are 
more  ferviceable,    and  ufed  with  greater  Frequency  than 

are  [n  e.  J  %  ^'''"^J  """^  ^"  ''^"f^  ^  "^™^d  firft. 
rious  Fli^h  ^"'''■^/'P"'^'  ^"<^  'rained  up  to  val 
nous  Flights,    fome  of  which  are  pointed  againft   the 


0/  B  I  R  D  S.  189 

^eron,  otliers  againft  the  Kite,  the  Curlew,  and  the  Owl. 
But  thefe  Pleafures  are  very  expenfive,  and  only  fit  for 
Sings  or  Princes.  The  Hawk  is  xifeful  in  low  Flights  ; 
le  is  fagacious  and  very  dextrous  in  attacking  the  Par- 
:ridge,  and  is  fure  to  furnifh  the  Larder  with  excellent 
3ame.  A  prudent  Gentleman  leaves  the  Falcon  to  Prin- 
zes, and  contents  himfelf  v/ith  the  Hawk. 

The  Manner  of  training  them  up,  and 
employing  them  in  the  Field,  is  very  agree-  The  Manner 
ible.  Thofe  who  are  brought  up  for  this  of  training  up  a 
ixercife  are  either  Nias  or  Hagard  Birds,  ^i-'-d  of  Prey, 
fhofe  are  called  Niasy  who  have  been  taken  in  the  Neil, 
md  Hagards  are  thofe  who  have  enjoyed  the  Liberty  be- 
bre  they  were  caught.  Thefe  laft  are  tamed  with  more 
Difficulty ;  but  Patience  and  Dexterity  fucceed  in  that 
^articular,  and,  in  Terms  of  Falconry  make  them  trada- 
)k  and  fit  for  the  Fray.  When  they  are  too  wild,  they 
ire  neither  fed,  nor  fuffered  to  fleep,  for  three  or  four 
Days,  and  as  many  Nights,  and  are  never  left  alone;  by 
vhich  means  they  grow  familiar  with  the  Falconer,  and 
ire  obedient  to  all  his  Commands.  His  principal  Care  is 
o  accuftom  them  to  fettle  on  his  Fift  5  to  fpring  when  he 
hrovvs  them  oiF;  to  know  his  Voice,  his  Singing,  or  any 
3ther  Signal  he  gives  them;  and  to  return  to  Order  on 
bis  Fill.  At  firll  they  are  tyed  with  a  String,  of  about  thir- 
:y  Fathoms  in  Length,  to  prevent  them  from'flying  away 
kvhen  they  are  reclaimed;  and  they  are  not  freed  from  this 
Confinement  till  they  are  compleatly  difciplined,  and  al- 
ways return  at  the  Recal.  To  accomplifh  this,  the  Bird 
mud  be  lured ;  and  I  ihall  now  acquaint  you  with  the 
Nature  of  a  Lure. 

A  Lure  is  a  Piece  of  red  StufF  or  Wood,  on  which  are 
Rxed  a  Bill,  Talons,  and  Wings.  To  this  is  likewife  fatt- 
ened a  Piece  of  that  Flefh  on  which  the  Bird  feeds; 
and  the  Lure  is  thrown  out  to  him,  when  they  intend  to 
reclaim  or  recal  him.  The  Sight  of  the  Food  he  loves, 
with  the  Addition  of  a  certain  Noife,  immediately  brings 
him  back.  In  a  little  Time,  the  Voice  alone  is  fufficient. 
The  various  Plumage,  with  which  the  Lure  is  kt  olF,  is 
called  a  Dra<ujer.  Wlien  they  accuftom  the  Hawk  to 
fly  at  a  Kite,  a  Heron,  or  a  Partridge,  they  change  the 
Dra^wer  diC^Qximg  to  the  Game  in  View.    When  he  is  to 

fpring 


I90         DIALOGUE    XI. 

fpring  at  a  Kite,  tliey  only  fix  the  Bill  and  Feathers  of 
that  Bird  on  the  Lure :  The  fame  Care  is  taken  with  re~ 
fpeft  to  the  reft.  And  in  order  to  entice  the  Bird  to  his 
Obje6l,  they  foften  to  the  Lure  the  Flelh  of  a  Chicken, 
or  fome  other  Fowl,  but  always  conceal  it  under  the 
Draiver^  or  the  Feathers  of  the  Game  they  propofe  to 
fly  at ;  to  this  they  add  Sugar,  Cinnamon,  Marrow,  and 
other  Flavours,  proper  to  determine  the  Bawk  to  one 
particular  Flight  rather  than  another;  by  which  Means, 
when  he  is  afterwards  to  fpring  at  any  real  Game,  he  falls 
upon  his  Prey  with  a  furprifing  Precipitation.  After  three 
Weeks  or  a  Month's  Exercife  in  a  Chamber  or  Garden, 
they  begin  to  make  an  Experiment  of  the  Bird  in  the 
open  Fields,  and  fallen  little  Bells  to  his  Feet,  in  order  to 
be  more  readily  informed  of  his  Motions.  He  is  always 
capp'd ;  that  is  to  fay,  his  Head  is  covered  with  Leather, 
which  falls  down  over  his  Eyes,  to  prevent  him  from 
feeing  any  Objeft  but  that  they  would  have  him  difcover ; 
and  as  foon  as  the  Dogs  either  Hop  or  fpring  the  Game 
they  are  in  Quell  of,  the  Falconer  uncaps  the  Bird,  and 
toffes  him  into  the  Air  after  his  Prey.  'Tis  then  very 
diverting  to  fee  him  wing  the  Air  in  all  the  Varieties  of 
Flight;  and  behold  him  foaring  by  Degrees  and  repeated 
Springs,  till  the  Eye  lofes  him  in  the  middle  Region. 
He  then  commands  the  Plain ;  contemplates  the  Motions 
of  his  Prey,  whom  the  Dillance  of  its  Enemy  deludes 
into  an  imaginary  Security,  till  at  lall  he  launches  upon 
it  with  the  Rapidity  of  an  Arrow,  and  bears  it  to  his 
Mailer,  who  recalls  him.  They  never  fail,  in  thefe  his 
firfl  Eflays,  to  prefent  him,  when  he  returns  to  his  Fill, 
with  the  Neck  and  Entrails  of  the  Prey  he  has  brought. 
Thefe  Gratuities,  and  the  other  CarefTes  of  the  Falconer, 
animate  the  Bird  to  perform  his  Duty ;  keep  him  in  Re- 
gularity, and  a  proper  Fiercenefs  of  Temper,  and  parti- 
cularly prevent  him  from  bearing  anvay  his  Bells ;  that 
is  to  fay,  from  flying  off,  fo  as  to  return  no  more,  which 
is  an  Accident  that  fometimes  happens. 

But  I  am  very  much  in  the  wrong,  to  entertain  the 
Chevalier  with  a  Diverfion  which,  without  doubt,  he 
has  frequently  feen. 

Chenjalier.    I  have  beheld  this  Sport  with  Pleafure,    but 

was  never  acquainted  with  the  Manner  of  training  up  the 

^  Birdj 


0/  B  r  R  D  S.  191 

Bird;  and  Hiould  be  glad  to  know  how  the  Gentleman, 
who  is  your  Neighbour,  teaches  his  Falcons  to  fly  at 
Hares  and  Rabbits,  as  well  as  any  other  Game. 

Count,  This  is  what  t\ity  CdlX  flying  a  Bird  at  the  Fiirn 
md  there  are  fome  Falcons  who  are  taught  to  fy  at  theFurr 
and  the  'Flume  \  or  in  other  Words,  they  are  trained  up  to 
Biy  at  a  Hare,  as  well  as  at  a  Pheafant,  or  any  other 
Game,  and  the  Difficulty  is  not  great-  When  the  Fal- 
:on  is  very  tame,  they  take  a  living  Hare,  and  break  one 
}f  his  Legs,  or  elfe  they  ufe  a  Hare's  Skin  ftulFed  with 
Straw ;  and  after  they  have  fixed  to  it  a  Piece  of  Chicken^s 
Flefli,  or  whatever  Food  the  Falcon  loves  beft,  they  tye 
this  Skin  with  a  little  Cord  of  a  great  Length,  the  End  of 
^vhich  is  failened  to  the  Girth  of  a  Horfe ;  and  as  the 
Skin  is  dragged  along  by  that  Creature,  the  Bird  imagines 
it  to  be  a  Hare  in  Flight,  which  allures  him  to  dart  up- 
on it ;  and  by  this  Means  he  is  taught  to  diilinguifh  that 
Animal. 

The  Gentleman  you  mentioned  has  ftill  a  better  Me- 
thod, He  has  taught  Birds  to  fly  at  a  Roebuck,  a  wild 
Boar,  and  even  a  Wolf;  which  is  fometimes  very  fervice- 
able  when  the  Wolves  multiply  their  Breed.  The  Man- 
ner in  which  he  proceeds  is  this : 

He  *  accuftoms  his  young  Falcons  betimes  to  eat  what 
is  prepared  for  them  out  of  the  Sockets  of  the  Eyes  of  a 
Wolf,  a  Boar,  or  fome  other  wild  Bead;  for  which  Pur- 
pofe,  he  preferves  the  Head  and  Skin  of  the  firil  Animal 
he  can  kill,  and  iluiFs  it  in  fuch  a  Manner  that  the^  Crea- 
ture feems  to  be  alive,  and  the  Falcons  have  nothing  to 
eat  but  what  they  pick  out  of  the  Cavity  of  the  Eyes; 
v/hen  this  is  done,  he  begins  to  move  this  Figure  gradually 
whilfl  the  Falcon  is  feeding.  The  Bird  learns  to  faften  it- 
feif  to  it,  tho'  theBeaft  is  drawn  backwards  and  forwards 
with  a  very  precipitate  Motion.  He  would  lofe  his  Meal, 
were  he  to  quit  his  Hold ;  which  makes  him  induftrious 
and  attentive  to  fix  himfelf  well  on  the  Skull,  that  he  may 
dig  his  Bill  into  the  Eye,  notwithflanding  the  Motion. 
When  thefe  firfl  Exercifes  are  over,  our  Gentleman  places 
the  Carcafs  on  a  Cart,    drawn  by  a  Horfe  in  full  Speed. 

^  Gamelli  C^rreri,  Tom.  II.  p.  253*  _, 

I  The 


192       DIALOGUE    XL 

The  Bird  follows  it,  and  is  perpetually  feeding  ;  and  when 
they  come  to  fly  him  in  the  Field,  he  never  fails  to  dart 
on  the  firft  Bea'll  he  difcovers,  and  immediately  fallens 
on  his  Head,  in  order  to  fcoop  out  his  Eyes ;  this  throws 
the  Creature  into  Agonies,  he  flops  and  gives  the  Hunter 
Time  to  approach  and  kill  him  without  any  Danger, 
becaufe  the  Beall  is  more  engaged  with  the  Bird  than  the 
Sportfman. 

Chevalier.  'Tis  rot  in  the  Power  of  Dogs  to  perform 
the  Services  we  receive  from  fuch  Birds. 

Prior,  Greater  Feats  than  this  are  fometimes  accom- 
plifhed  J  and  *  Eagles  themfelves  are  beneficial  to  fome 
People,  without  being  tamed.  I  knew  a  Gentleman  who 
kept  an  excellent  Table,  and  had  only  an  Eagle  for  his 
Steward,  who  fupplied  him  with  all  the  Dainties  that  were 
ferved  up. 

Che^valier,  Had  the  Steward  a  good  Salary  ? 

Prior,  You  fhall  hear  his  Services,  and  his  Gratuity. 
In  a  Journey  I  have  already  given  you  fome  Account  of, 
I  was  in  Company  with  a  very  curious  Nobleman,  who 
had  an  Inclination  to  fee  the  Antiquities  of  Nifmes,  be- 
fore he  came  to  Marfeilles.  We  took  our  Rout  through 
St.  Flour,  in  order  to  p  oceed  from  thence  to  Mende  in  the 
Gejvaudan,  and  crofs  the  Ce<vennes.  As  he  was  charged 
with  a  Commiffion  from  Court,  he  was  t\&ry  where 
received  with  particular  Marks  of  Diflinaion.  An  Offi- 
cer of  Note,  in  the  Neighbourhood  of  Mende,  invited 
him  to  pafs  a  few  Days  at  his  Seat,  and  entertained  him 
in  the  politell:  Manner  he  was  able.  At  the  firft  Colla- 
tion he  gave  us,  we  obferved  with  fome  Surprife,  that  all 
the  wild  Fowl  brought  to  the  Table  wanted  either  a  Head,  a 
Wing,  a  Leg,  or  fome  other  Part,  which  occafioned  our 
Gentleman  to  fay  very  agreeably,  that  we  mufl  pardon  the 
Voracioufnefsof  his  Caterer,  who  always-  tailed  what  he  had 
prepared  before  it  came  to  the  Table.  When  we  aiked  him 
whom  this  Caterer  might  be,  and  he  perceived  we  grew 
facetious  at  this  new  Mode  of  Entertainment,  he  ex- 
prefTed  himfelf  in  this  Manner:    In   thefe   mountainous 

*  Memoirs  de  la  vie  de  M.  Aug.  de  Thcu,  1.  iv.  p.  157.  Rail 
Synopf,  Method.  Avium.  p«  6. 

PartSj 


Of  B  I  R  D  S.  ip3 

f*arts,    which  are  the  rlcheft  in  the  Kingdom  ty  reafon 
3f  their    Fertility,    the  Eagles   are  accuftomed   to  build 
:heir  Ames  in  the  Cavities  of  fome   inacceffible  Rock, 
vhich  IS  hardly  to  be  afcended  by  the  Aid  of  Ladders 
md  grappling  Irons.      As   foon   as  the  Shepherds   have 
Tiade  this  Difcovery,    they  raife  a  little  Hut  at  the  Foot 
)t  the  Rock,  where  they  fcreen  themfelves  from  the  Furv 
)t  thefe  dangerous  Birds,    when  they  convey  Provifion  to 
heir  Young.     The  Male  carefully  nourifhes  them  for  the 
jpaceof  three  Months,  and  the  Female  is  engaged  in  the 
ame /Employment,    till  the  Bird  is  capable  of  quitting  the 
^iry;   but  when  that  Period  is  compleated,    they  make 
nm  fpnng  into  the  Air,    and  bear  him  up  with  their 
xrf^l.   T^  Talons,    when  he   is  in  Danger  of  falling, 
/vhilil  the  young  Eagle   continues  in   the  Airy,    the  Pa- 
ents   ravage    all   the    neighbouring  Country;    Capons. 
.hickens.    Ducks,  Lambs,  Kids,    and  Pigs  fufFer  oii  this 
^ccahon .;  they  feize  whatever  falls  in  their  Way,  and  bear 
:  to    their  Young.      But  the  Fields  and  Woods    fupply 
Qem  with  their  bell  Game ;    for  there  they  deftroy  Phea^* 
mts.  Partridges,    Woodcocks,    Wild-Ducks,    Hares  and 
oung     Fawns.      The  Shepherds,    at    the   very  Inflant 
hey  perceive  the  old  <Birds   have   left    their  Airy,    plant 
^eir  Ladders  and  climb  the  Rocks  as  well  as  they  are 
ble,    and  then  they  carry  oiF  what  the  Eagles  have  con- 
eyed  to  their  OiF-fpring,-    and   in   the  Room   of  what 
ley  take,    leave  the  Entrails  of  certain  Animals.      But 
5  this  cannot  be  dome  fo  expeditioufly,  as  to  prevent  the 
oung  Eagle  from   devouring  Part  of  their  Food,    the 
hepherds  mull  neceffarily  bring  away  what  has  been  al- 
iady  mutilated  ;  but  in  recompenfe  for  this  Difadvantaee 
;hat  they  thus  take  has  a  much  finer  Flavour  than  any 
hing  the  Markets  afford.     The  Gentleman  added,    that 
hen  the  young  Eagle  has  Strength  enough  to  fly,    which 
'quires  a  confiderable  Time  to  attain,    becaufe  he  is  de- 
rived of  an  excellent  Food,   and  obliged  to  take  up  with 
hat  is  very  indiflerent,   the  Shepherds  fallen  him  to  the 
iry,  that  the  Parent  Birds  may  continue  to  fupply  him 
ith  what  they  take,    till  the  difagreeable  Task  of  pro- 
dmg  for  an  Offspring  that  perpetually  fatigues  them,  ob« 
^^s  firll  the  Male,    and  then  the  Female  to  forfake  him 
ii€  Male  transfers  himfelf  tQ  a  nw  Situaiign,    and  the 

^.  ~ female 


194        D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E     XL 

Female  follows  the  Track  of  her  faithful  Mate ;  after 
which  their  Tendernefs  for  another  Progeny  makes  them 
forget  the  former,  whom  the  Shepherds  leave  in  the  Airy, 
to  itarve,  unlefs  they  are  compaiTionate  enough  to  remove 

him. 

This  is  a  Fa<£l  we  were  aiTured  of  by  the  Gentleman, 
who  acquainted  us,  that  three  or  four  of  thefe  Airies  were 
fufhcient  to  furnilh  a  fplendid  Table  throughout  the  Year ; 
and  inilead  of  murmuring  at  the  Creator  of  Eagles  and 
Vultures,  he  thought  himfelf  very  happy  in  their  Neigh-; 
boqrhood,  and  reckoned  every  Airy  of  an  Eagle  or  Vulture 
onhisEilate,  equivalent  to  an  annual  Rent. 

Count,  Since  the  Converfation  turns  on  Eagles,  I  muft 
acquaint  the  Prior  that  we  have  a  young  one  in  Company, 
who  already  begins  to  fly  alone ;  I  mean  the  Che-valier^ 
who  came  this  Morning  into  my  Cabinet,  to  read  and  make 
Examinations,  confront  Authors,  and  write  Obfervations. 
We  have  nothing  now  to  do  but  leave  him  to  himfelf 
.    Che-oalier.  Call  me  rather  a  mas  Bird,  who  has  never 

feen  any  Thing..  — ■ 1  was  anxious  to  know  what  became 

of  Swallows,  and  fuch  a  Multitude  of  other  Birds  we  fee. 
for  a  Seafon,  and  which  fuddenly  difappear :  And  I  Ihall 
now  declare  what  I  have  colleded  on  that  Article. 

Some  Birds  of  PaiTage  delight  m 
Birds  of  Paf-  cold  Countries,  Others  are  pleafed  with  tern- 
Cage.  perate  Climates,  or  even  the  hotteft  Regi- 

ons. Some  Species  content  themfelves  with 
palTine:  from  one  Country  to  another,  where  the  Air  or  Ali- 
ment attrads  them  at  a  certain  Seafon.  Others  traverfe  the 
Sfeas;  atid  undertake  furprifmg  Voyages.  The  Birds  of 
Piiflaee  moil  known  are  Quails,  Swallows,  wild  Ducks, 
PiovcTS,  Woodcocks,  and  Cranes;  but  there  are  feverai  o- 

ther  Species.  ^  ^^ .      .         t^ 

In  the  Spring,  Quails  pafs  from  Africa  into  Europe,  to 
find  a  more  tolerable  and  moderate  Summer  than  they  could 
eniQY  riu  the  Country  from  whence  they  came  iowards 

theClofe  of  Autumn,,  they  return  over  i\i^Mediterraneun, 
to  obtain,  in  Barbary  and  Egypt,  a  gentle  Heat,  correfpona- 
ine  to  the  Climates  they  abandoned,  when  the  bun 
vval  oa  the  other  Side  of  the  Equator.     The  Quails  take 

*  Belion.l  ,    . 

their 


0/BIRDS.  iQ- 

^Keir  Flight  in  Troops  that  fometlmes  reremble  Qauds : 
They  frequently  cover  Ships,  and  the  Sailors  take  them 
mthout  any  Difficulty. 

Swallows  feem  to  have  a  different  Pro- 
Swallows,  cedure.  Multitudes  of  them,  as  it  is  pretend- 
ed, crofs  the  Sea,     But  the  Accounts  from 
England  and  Sweden  make  it  evident,  that  feveral,    or  at 
ieaft  thofe  of  the  moll  Northern  Countries,  continue  in  Ew 
^opey  and  conceal  themfelves  in  the  Caverns  of  the  Earth 
i vetted  to  one  another  with  their  Claws  and  Bills.     *  They 
lock  to  Places  unfrequented  by  Man,  or  even  bury  them- 
elves  in  the  Water.     The  Precaution  they  take  to  lubricate 
heir  Feathers  with  their  own  Oil,  and  to  roll   themfelves 
ip  like  a  Ball,  their  Head  within,  and  their  Back  without, 
►referves  them  in  the  Water,  and  even  under  the  Ice.  They 
re  there  benumb'd,   and  pafs  the  whole  Winter  without 
/lotion.     The  Heart  however  has  a  conftant  Palpitation, 
nd  the  Warmth  unchils  them  at  the  Return  of  Spring, 
^hey  then  revifit  their  former  Habitations,  and  each  Indiv- 
idual finds  out  his  own  Country,  and  his  particular  Vil- 
ige.  City,  and  Nell. 

As  to  Wild-Ducks  and  Cranes,  both  the  one  and  the  o- 
ler,  at  the  Approach  of  Winter,  fly  in  quell  of  more  fa- 
Durable  Climates.  They  all  aifemble  at  a  certain  Day, 
ke  Swallows  and  Quails.  They  decamp  at  the  fame  Time,' 
id  'tis  very  agreeable  to  obferve  their  Flight.  They  gene- 
illy  range  themfelves  in  a  long  Column  like  an  J,  or  in 
vo  Lines  united  in  a  Point,  like  a  V  reverfed.  The 
>uck,  or  Crane,  who  forms  the  Point,  cuts  the  Air,  and 
cihtates  a  PaiTage  to  thofe  who  follow  ;  but  he  is  charged 
ith  this  CommiiTion  only  for  a  certain  Time^  at  the 
onclufion  of  which  he  wheels  into  the  Rear,  and  another 
kes  his  Poil.  They  have  the  Reputation  of  many  other 
dexterities ;    but  his  Lordfhip  has  advifed  me  not  to  be 

0  credulous  in  that  Particular,  and  has  confequcntly  abridg- 

1  my  Quotations. 

Countefs.  I  have  frequently  heard  People  talk  of  a  Spe- 
cs of  little  Men  a  Foot  and  a  half  high,  who,  as  they 

*  ^^^  r^uM  ^*^*^°""^  S'^^^"  ^^  ^^^e  P»^Va]  Society  at  London  12  Feb. 
■I  3-  1  l^ilcjophicai-Tianractionsand  jcuriiai  oi  the  Learned,  1666. 
Id  1007. 

K.  2  fay. 


ig6        D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E    XI. 

fay    make  War  with  the  Cranes  at  then-  Arrival  on  the 
Coafts  of  the  Red  Sea :  I  think  they  call  them  Pygmies 

Prior    Thefe  little  Men  are  the  Apes,  who  battie  the: 
Cranes  in  Defence  of  their  Young,  which  thefe  Birds  en 
deavour  to  deftroy. 

Couttte/s.  Though  it  has  been  familiar  to  me,  every  Au 
tumn,  to  take  notice  of  a  certain  Day  when  the  Swallows i 
meet,  in  order  to  depart  all  together,  and  notwithftandmg 
I  have  frequently  feen  Flights  of  Birds  on  their  Journey,  I 
always  thought  the  Fad  very  miraculous.      In  their  Pro- 
erefs  overseas  and  Kingdoms,  I  was  at  a  Lofs  whether  I 
ftiould  moft  admire  the  Force  that  fuftains  them  m  fo  long 
a  Faffage,  or  the  Order  in  which  the  Whole  is  accomplim- 
ed      Who  acquainted  their  Young,  that  it  would  foon  be| 
neceffary  for  them  to  forfake  the  Land  of  th<ir  Nativity,  l 
and  travel  into  a  ftrange  Country  ?     Why  do  thofe  who  arc 
detained  in  a  Cage,  exprefs  fo  much  Difquietude  at  the 
Seafon  for  the  ufual  Departure,  and  feem  to  be  afflifted  at 
their  Inability   to  join  the  Company  ?     What  particular 
Bird  charges  himfelf  with  the  Care  of  affemblmg  a  Coun- 
cil, to  fix  the  Day  of  their  Removal  ?     Who  lounds  the 
Trumpet  to  inform  the  Tribe  of  the  Refolution  taken,  that 
each  Party  may  be  prepared?     Whence  have  they  their: 
Almanack  to  inftrua  them  in  the  aeafon  and  Day,  wheu 
they  are  to  be  in  Motion  ?     Are  they  provided  wtfh  Ma- 
eiftrates  to  preferve  the  Difcipline  which  is  fo  extraordinary 
amonc'  them  ?     For  not  one  of  them  ^iflodges  till  the  Pro- 
clamation has  been  publilh'd,  and  not  a  Deferter^s  to  be 
feen  on  the  Day  that  fucceeds  their  Departure.     *  Have 
they  Charts  to  regulate  their  Voyage  by  ?     Are  they  ac- 
quainted  with  the  Iflands  where  they  may  reft,  and  be^a(> 
commodated  with  Refrelhments  ?     Are  they  furnifhed  wi  Jl 
a  Compafs  to  guide  them  infallibly  to  the  Coaft  they  woul4 
fteer  tof  without  being  difconcerted  in  their  Flight  by  Ra.n?, 
or  Winds,  or  the  difmal  Obfcurrty  of  many  Nights  ?Qr 
are  they  endued  with  a  Reafon  fuperior  to  that  of  Man 
who  h  Js  not  Courage  to  attempt  fuch  a  Paffage    without  a 
Multitude  of  Machines,  Pj-ecautions,  and  Provifions  ? 

Prior  'Tisvery    certain,    Madam,    they  have  neither 
Charts,  nor  Compafs,  norReafonj  the  Peity  alone  is  their 

•  ExpKc.  d«  r«uv.  des  6  jours,  ^^^ 


0/  B  I  R  D  S.  197 

^ondudlor,  and  imprelTes  on  each  Individual,  a  particular 
K'lethod  and  Train  of  Sentiments  that  fuffice  for  their  Con- 
iition. 

Count.  If  thefe  Operations  were  the  Refult  of  a  Reafon 
hat  was  proper  and  perfonal  to  them  ;  if  God  had  aban- 
loned  them  to  their  particular  Underfianding,  that  very 
c^'acuity,  which  appears  in  them  fo  admirable  and  exteniive, 
rvould  not  always  be  fubjedl  to  the  fame  Formality  of  Ac- 
;ion. 

Prior,  Without  doubt,  for  all  the  Individuals  of  the 
ame  Species,  if  they  had  the  fame  Rule  and  Principle  of 
Conduift  we  poliefs,  would  vary  in  their  Apprehenfions  like 
)urfe]ves.  The  Swallows  in  C/;nia  would  not  build  like 
4iofe  in  France :  The  Matte ^  the  Greek,  and  the  Roman 
raile  would  prevail  among  them ;  and  as  the  two  latter 
A-'Ould  be  cultivated  by  the  Swallows  of  Italy  and  England^ 
hefe  would  look  with  CompaiTion  on  the  Chinefe  Architec- 
ture ,*  and  even  in  France,  the  Swallows  of  Paris  would  not 
juild  and  live  like  their  Provincial  Brethren ;  without  doubt, 
:hey  would  follow  the  Mode,  and  communicate  it  to  the 
reft  ;  they  would  afterwards  defpife  that  very  Mode  as  a  ri- 
liculous  and  Gothic  Tafte,  when  they  had  once  taken  it  into 
their  Heads  to  eftablifh  another.  Were  Swallows  pofTeffed 
)f  Reafon,  it  would  introduce  Subordination.  The  moft 
rational  or  enterprizing  among  them  would  doubtlefs  acquire 
:he  firft  Station  in  the  Community ;  and,  by  a  neceftiiry 
Confequence,  the  Swallows  of  Diilin£lion  would  not  mix 
kvith  the  Vulgar,  but  leave  the  Labour  to  them.  They  would 
make  a  ferious  Affair  of  Chirping  with  greater  Delicacy 
:han  the  reft  j  they  would  refine  on  the  Manner  of  poliftiing 
iieir  Feathers,  and  adjufting  their  Behaviour  ;  they  would 
iffume  what  is  called  a  fine  Air,  and  thofe  who  made  the 
[ateft  Appearance  would  be  more  graceful  than  their  Elders. 
In  a  Word,  if  Swallows  had  the  Faculty  of  Reafon,  they 
^ould  perpetually  invent,  reform,  and  perfeft,  and,  like 
ourfelves,  do  a  thoufand  rational  and  important  Things,  of 
which,  at  prefent,   they  have  not  the  leaft  Idea. 

Countefs.  You  have  a  great  deal  of  Reafon  to  rally  our 
Extravagancies.  The  Beafts  have  that  Simplicity  and  De- 
corum of  Condud,  as  would  incline  one  to  believe  they 
were  endued  with  Reafon  ;   and  our  Aftions  are  frequently 

K.3  fo 


198        DIALOG  U  E    XI. 

fo  capricious  and  indifcreet,  that  one  would  imagine  we 
did  not  reafon  at  all.  ,         rn    /i 

Prior.  'Tis  evident  however,  that  the  Operations  of  Beafts 
are  attended  with  fo  much  Certainty,  only  becaufe  an  Al- 
mighty Providence  has  regulated  the  Circumllantials ; 
whereas  the  Inequality  that  appears  in  the  Condudt  of 
Men,  demonilrates  their  Enjoyment  of  a  Reafon  which 
varies  in  its  Limitations,  and  a  Liberty  as  diverfified  in  its 
Choice  But  we  wander  from  the  Subjed;  let  us  return 
to  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Air.  . 

Chevalier,  Are  there  any  left  who  deferve  a  particular 

Attention?  ^     ^         ,       ,     j-n* 

Prior.  I  can  think  of  none  but  the  dilterent 
Night  Birds.         Species  of  Night  Birds.     *  All  the  other 
Tribes  fing  before  the  Sun  rifes,  andperfornv 
the  fame  Homage  to  him  after  he  is  fet :  But  amid H  this 
general  Applaufe  that  is  paid  to  the  Light,  the  Birds  of 
Darknefs  are  alone  implacable  againft  it  :  They  avoid  it  as 
their  Enemy,  never  permit  it  to  be  the  Speaator  of  their 
Aaions,  and  whilft  it  illuminates  the  Univerfe,  they  con- 
ceal themfelves  in  Dens  of  the  deepell  Gloom.     They  wait 
with  Impatience  for  the  Return  of  Darknefs,  that  they  ma;p 
Heal:  out  of  their  Prifons,  to  which  the  Daylight  had  banifhed 
them,  and  they  then  teftify  their  Joy  by  Screams,  that  are 
only  capable  of  infufing  Horror  and  Confternation  into  the? 
Minds  of  all  who  hear  them  ;  for  each  of  thefe  Birds  has. 
its  particular  Cry,  according  to  the  Species,  but  they  are 
all  very  doleful  and  alarming.  Their  Figure  difcovers  fome- 
thing  hideous  and  gloomy  ;  and  one  would  imagine  he  faw 
a  fettled  Averfion  againft  Man  and  all  Animals,  lowering  iiv 
their  Features.     Almoft  all  of  them  have  a  hooked  BilU 
and  iharp  Talons,  out  of  which  the  Prey,  when  once  k\%-^ 
cd,  has   no   Poflibility  of  Efcape;    and  they  employ  thd 
Hours  of  Darknefs  and  Slumber  in   furprifmg  other  Bird^ 
who  are  taking  their  Repofe,  the  moft  vigorous  of  whont 
with  Difficulty  elude  them,  but  the  weakeft  are  their  in- 
fallible Prey.     They  likewife  add  Craft  to  Cruelty,  and 
Artifice  to  Rage ;    and   after  they  have  kept  Watch  for 
the  public  Calamity,  they  retire,  before  the  Rifing  of  the 
Sun,  into  Caves  inaccellible  to  the  Light.     They  general- 

*  Explic.  dc  Touvri  des  6  jo\!tSk 


0/  B  I  R  D  S.  199 

\f  prefer  old  Caflles,  and  mouldering  Piles,  to  any  other 
Letreat,  as  if  melancholy  Ruins  and  Defolation,  which 
itimate  the  Negled  of  the  Mailer,  or  the  Declenfion  of 
amilies,  were  capable  of  infpiring  Sentiments  of  Alacrity 
1  thefe  fatal  Birds. 

'Tis  impoffible,  in  colleding  all  thefe  Particulars,  not  to 
•ace  out  the  Image  of  thofe  Daemons  of  Malice  and  Dark- 
efs,  who  are  put  to  Flight  by  the  Luibe  of  Youth  ;  who 
elight  in  every  Thing  that  clouds  it;  take  Advantage  of 
le  Hours  of  Negligence  and  Sleep,  to  devour  the  Souts 
ley  detain  in  Fetters  of  Iron,  when  they  have  once  feiz- 
d  them  ;  who  nouriih  themfelves  with  their  Calamities 
nd  LoiTes,  and  refide,  with  the  greatell  Satisfaction,  in 
erverted  and  ruined  Hearts.  The  holy  Scripture  autho- 
izes  this  Parallel  between  Demons  and  Birds  of  the  Night, 
nd  confirms  us  in  the  Belief,  that  God,  whofe  Wifdom  is 
ifmite,  has  repleniflied  the  Profpedl  and  Order  of  Nature 
A\h  profitable  Inflrudions  for  Salvation.  Babylon,  *  fays 
be  Scripture,  is  become  the  Habitation  of  Devils,  and  the 
lold  of  every  foul  Spirit,  and  a  Cage  of  every  unclean  and 
lateful  Bird. 

As  the  Birds  of  Darknefs  are  Enemies  to  eveiy  other 
i^lafs,  they,  in  their  Turn,  are  equally  deteiled ;  and  when 
be  Owl,  the  Horn-Coot,  the  Ofprey,  and  the  like,  are 
ifcovered,  and  deteded  by  their  Cries,  or  any  other  Ac- 
ident,  there  is  a  general  AfTociation  againil  the  difmal 
lird.  The  fmall  and  great  furround  him  with  a  loud  Noife, 
hough  it  is  but  feldom  he  is  attacked  with  much  Impuni- 
Y.  The  Fowlers  find  their  Account  in  this  public  and  de- 
lared  Averfion,  when  they  fpread  their  Nets  for  thofe  who 
mprudently  rufh  out,  at  the  real  or  imitated  Cry  of  one 
f  thefe  Birds,  who  is  fuch  an  Enemy  to  the  reft.  For  they 
uikl  a  Hut  near  a  Wood,  and  cover  it  with  the  Branches 
if  Trees,  and  then,  in  feveral  Parts  of  the  Hut,  fix  Lime- 
wigs,  on  which  the  Birds  of  all  Kinds  defcend  and  perch, 
he  better  to  infult  their  Adverfary,  whofe  Cry  revives  their 
Inimofity  againft  him  ;  and  when  they  fall  with  the  Lime- 
wigs  that  are  not  ftrcngly  fixed,  they  foil  and  embarrafs 
heir  Wings  in  the  Glew,  and  lofe  both  Liberty  and  Life 

•  Revelations  xvii.  2. 

K  4  in 


200  D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E  XL 

in  the  Hands  of  the  Fowlers,  who  are  attentive  to  obfervC 
Sheir  Fall,  and  take  Advantage  of  their  Rafhnefs. 

Countefs,  This  little  Sport  is  vtry  entertaining.  You  are 
no  Stranger  to  it.  Chevalier ^    I  fuppofe. 

Chenjalier.  I  know  it  is  called  the  Decoy,  and  have  freJ 
cuently  heard  it  mentioned  \  but  it  is  a  Pleafure  that  has! 
Leen  only  promifed  me  as  yet. 

Countefs,  We  muft  give  you  the  Enjoyment  of  it  then. 

Count,  No  later  than  to-morrow  i  but  can  you  rife  bcr 
fore  the  Sun  ? 

Chevalier,  I  will  take  upon  me  to  wake  the  whole  Houfe, 

Count.  Let  us  go  then,  and  order  the  neceffary  Prepara- 
tions. 

Chevalier ^  It  fhall  be  my  Buiinefs  to  colled  all  the  Carres 
in  this  Houfe,  as  well  as  the  Pym\  and  thofe  of  the  whole 
Village. 

Count,  We  will  furnifh  you  with  every  Thing,  without 
obliging  you  to  go  any  where  elfe ;  and,  believe  me^  yovi 
jhall  always  have  more  Cages  than  Birds* 


^be  End  of  the  Eleventh  Dialogue. 


Terre- 


t   201    ] 


Terrestrial  Animals. 


Dialogue     XII. 

7'he  CovNTy  ^«J Countess. 
The  Prior,  arid  Chevalier. 


Zouniefs,  T)R AY,  tell  me,  Sir,  wliilfl  we 

J^   are  waiting  for  our  Company,     Terreftrial 
vhich  Sort  of  Life   is  moft  agreeable  to     Animals. 
ou,    that  of  an  Academic,  or  that  of  a 
i'owler  ? 

Chevalier.  That  of  an  Academic  is  more  inftru6tive. 

Countefs,  That's  the  Anfwer  of  a  true  Norman.  Spe^k 
0  me  without  Referve,  if  one  fhould  propofe  to  you  a 
^efture  in  Piiilofophy,  or  a  fecond  Decoy  in  the  \V'oodSj 
low  would  you  determine? 

Che^valier.  I  would  immediately  prepare  the  Lime- 
wigs. 

Countefs,  This  is  natural  and  undifguifed:  But  however, 
iftead  of  the  Decoy,  which  cannot  be  frequently  repeated, 
lecaufe  the  Birds  are  fhy  of  approaching  the  Place  where 
be  Net  has  been  fpread,  snd  then  you  muft  build  a  new 
lutj  I  fay,  inftead  of  this,  I  promife  to  entertain  you 
/ith  the  Diverfion  of  Fifl^ing,  as  often  as  you  pleafe, 
^'hich  will  be  equally  amufmg.  In  the  mean  Time,  let 
,s  fingle  out  the  large  Bealls,  and  turn  the  Converfation 
3  Terrellrial  Animals.     But  here  are  our  Company. 

K  5  Gentlemen, 


202        DIALOGUE    Xir. 

Gentlemen,  if  you  are  not  diffatisiied  at  my  regulating 
the  Subjeds  of  our  former  Converfations,  permit  me  ta: 
continue  in  that  Province.  If  I  Ihould  let  you  chufe,  yoja; 
would  perhaps  convey  me  into  a  Country  of  which  I  have 
no  Map.  After  our  Speculations  on  Infers  and  Birds,  it 
would  not  be  improper  to  proceed  to  Terreftrial  Animals,, 
fuch  as  the  Sheep,  the  Ox,  the  Lion,  and  the  Elephant 
himfelf^  if  you  pleafe ;  for  my  own  Part,  I  fhall  confine 
jnyfelf  to  what  is  moll  common. 

Count.  I'hofe  Creatures,    Madam,  who  are  moft  com- 
mon, deferve  our  flri^eil:  Attention.    We  need  not  go  to 
Afui^    to  difcovcr  Subjedls  for  Admiration,    fince  we  are  ■ 
furrounded  with.  them,  at  Home.. 

Countefi.  1  defire,  Gentlemen,  you  would  chufe  AJla 
and  Jfrica  for  yourfelves,  and,  if  you  pleafe,  you  may 
take  in  America;  here  .certainly  is  enough  t^o  give  youi 
Satisfa<5lion.  If  you  take  the  common  Animals,  you  de- 
prive me  of  all  my  Quota,  and  your  Prefident  will  have: 
nothing  to  fay. 

Prior.  The  Subjedl  is  copious,  and  will  never  be  ex- 
haulled  by  our  dividing  it.  Domeflic  Animals  alone  wouldl 
furniih  out  twenty  Converfations.  Chevalier,  be  pleafed; 
to  open  the  Conference.  Witliout  any  Study  or  Prepara- 
tion, you  will  be  fenfible  of  one  of  the  finefl  Inftances  of 
the  Deity's  Bounty  to  Man,  only  by  your  anfwering  a 
fingle  Quellion.  i^  one  fhould  fearch  the  Woods  for  a  Set 
of  young  Wolves,  a  Number  of  Fawns,  and  as  many 
young  Lions,  would  it  not  be  poffible  to  bring  them  up,. 
to  tame  and  diHribute  them  in  thr^e  Claffes,  according; 
to  their  Species,  and  nouriih  them  in  the  Fields,  like  Sheegt^ 
and  Calves  ? 

Chenjalier,  It  would  be  altogether  impradicable.  I  ami 
fenfible  we  might  rear  ihem,  and  foften  a  little  of  their- 
Fiercenefs ;  but  thefe  Animals  liave  always  a  favage  and 
traiterous  Difpofition.     One  could  never  keep  them  long, 

and   much  lefs  lead   them   by  Droves. 7-  We  had   two* 

young  Wolves  brought  up  at  our  Houfe,  who  feemed  ta- 
be  very  fociable,,  but  they  Toon  took  Care  to  undeceive 
us.  The  fly  Animals  v/ere  pleafed  one  Morning  to  quar- 
rel with  a  Dog,  and  thought  fit  to  tear  him  to  Pieces  ;^ 
they  likewife  did  us  the  Favour  to  kill  three  Kids,  and. 
then  marched  off  to  the  Woods. 

frim^ 


Of  Terrestrial  Animals.       203 

Prior.  You  have  imagined  till  now,  that  this  Union  of 

large  Herd  of  Cows,  or  a  Flock  of  Sheep  or  Goats 
nder  the  Condud  of  a  fmgle  Shepherd,  or  the  Wand  ot 

Youth,  was  the  Confequence  of  Man's  Jnduflry.  But 
^hat  Opinion  do  you  entertain,  when  you  confider  this 
/latter  with  a  little  Attention  ? 

Chevalier.  Tarn  very  fenfible  that  this  Union  is  the 
Vork  of  God  alone,  and  one  of  the  mofl;  amiable  Prefents 
le  has  condefcended  to  make  us. 

Prior.  Were  it  poiTible  to  tame  Lions  and  Bears,   yet 
MQ,   could   never  make  them   labour,    or  carry  Burdens ; 
lut.  granting  even  this  to  be  prafticable,  would  they  fub^ 
nit  to  feed  on  the  Herbage  of  the  Field  ?  Education  never 
ihanges  Nature  ;  and  were  they  to  be  nourifhed  according 
o  their  libertine  and   ravenous  Inclinations,    they  would 
bon  ruin  their  Mailer,  inflead  of  afiiiling  him  in  his  La- 
)ours ;  on  the  contrary,  the  generality  of  domeflic  Ani- 
nals  are  but  little  expenfive,   they  work  hard,,  and  the 
iabitations  of   Men   are  more   agreeable   to  them   than* 
heir  own  Liberty.    They  are  furnifned  with  great  Strength,. 
\\^j  employ  it  only  in  their  Owner's  Service;    and  im- 
nediately   obey   his  iirll  Command.     Vv'hat  Gratuity  do 
:hey   expeft   for   their  Toil?    Why   true   a   little  Glafs^ 
md  even  the  very  driefl,  or  lead  valuable  of  all  our  Grain, 
uffices  them:    The  moil  delicious  Food  has  no  Attrac- 
:ions  for  them,,  and  they  reje^:  it  v»'ith  as  much  Averfioii. 
is  if  it  were  Poifon.     Has  any  Part  of  our  Care  produced. 
ill  them  Inclinations  fo  abilemious  and  beneficial  to  us  ? 
Are  they  formed  by  our  Induilry  ?  No  certainly,,  and  the 
Cbe-jalier  has  very  juilly  called  them,  one  of  the  Deity's 
moil  amiable  Prefents. 

Countefs.  One  muil  be  either  blind  or  ungrateful  to  deny 
this  Truth ;.  for  thefe  Creatures  are  not  only  tra6lable,. 
but  naturally  loving ;  they  come  to  tender  us  the  Variety 
of  their  voluntary  Services,  and  never  keep  themfeives  at 
a  Dillance  from  us.  Whereas  the  others,  v/ho  are  not  pre- 
ordained  to  fhare  our  Labours,  content  themfeives  v^th 
doing  us  no  Injury,,  unlefs  they  are,,  in  a  manner,  compelled 
to  it,  and  retire  to  Woods  and  Deierts,  out  of  reipetl:  ta 
Man,  to  whom  thev  refign  all  the  reit  of  the  Earth. 

Che^valier,  Providence  diicovers  itfelf  in  the  benevolent 
Inclinations  implanted  m  domeftic  Animah.    But  I  woiild^ 

K  6  willingly 


204        DIALOGUE    XII. 

willingly  know  how  we  can  reconcile  the  voracious  Dif- 
pofitions  of  wild  Beads,  with  the  Goodnefs  of  God :  Does 
a  Wolf,  who  darts  on  a  Flock  of  Cattle,  feem  a  proper 
Objeft  to  do  Honour  to  his  Providence  I 

Prior.  He  undoubtedly  honours  it  in  his  Sphere,  fince 
he  accomplifhes  the  Views  propofed  in  his  Creation.  Pro- 
vidence has  formed  fome  Animals  to  live  with  Man,  and 
be  ferviceable  to  him ;  and  has  created  others,  to  people 
Woods  and  Deferts,  animate  every  Part  of  Nature,  and 
chaftife  Morals  when  they  grow  impious  and  abandoned. 
The  fame  Providence  appears  admirable,  in  the  Corapla-, 
cency  it  infufes  into  Animals,  who  live  for  the  Benefit 
and  Support  of  Mankind  j  and  is  its  Intention  lefs  confpi- 
cuous,  in  the  Prefervation  of  all  thofe  favage  Beafts,  whom 
it  nouriihes  in  Rocks  and  Solitudes,  without  Folds  or  Paf- 
ture,  without  Magazines,  or  any  other  Afliflance  of  Man's 
Contribution;  or  rather,  in  Oppofition  to  all  his  Endea- 
vours to  deflroy  them  ?  And  who  with  all  thefe  Difadvan- 
tages  are  better  accommodated  with  every  NecefTary,  have'^ 
more  Adivity  for  the  Chace,  are  flronger,  better  nourifhed, 
and  endued  with  more  Vivacity,  are  cloathed  with  a  finer 
Skin,  and  have  a  completer  Turn  of  Shape,  than  the 
Generality  of  thofe  who  have  Man  for  their  Purveyor. 

Countefs,  You  fee,  Che<valier,  that  Providence  fhines  and. 
operates  through  all  its  Works,  and  rather  merits  our 
Adoration,  than  Criticifms  in  Matters  above  our  Com* 
prehenfion.  But  I  defire  we  may  return  to  our  domeflic 
Animals,  and  talk  of  things  accommodated  to  my  Ca- 
pacity. Let  his  Lord  (hip,  for  Inftance,  give  us  a  Detail  of 
his  Horfe*s  Ferfe£lions.  The  Chevalier  may  celebrate  his* 
Dog,  whofe  Shape  and  Addrefs  he  is  fo  frequently  boall- 
ing.  I,  as  a  good  Oeconomill:,  declare  for  the  Cattle,  and 
the  Prior  is  at  Liberty  to  diflinguifh  all  the  refl. 

Count.  I  am  very  well  fatibfied  with  my 
The  Horfe,  Province.  If  Cuitom  had  not  dignified  the 
Lion  with  the  Title  of  King  of  Beails,  Rer- 
fcn,  in  my  Judgment,  would  confer  it  on  the  Horfe.  The 
lion  is  nothing  lefs  than  the  King  of  Animals;  he  is  ra- 
ther their  Tyrant,  fmce  he  is  only  capable  of  devouring, 
cr  infpiring  them  with  Terror:  On  the  contrary,  the 
Horfe  is  never  injurious  to  other  Creatures,  either  in  their 
Perfons  or  Properties :  He  difcovers  nothing  that  can  ex- 

jpofe 


0/ Terrestrial  A^JIMAts.       205 

>ofe  him  to  the  leaft  Averfion;  he  poffefles  no  bad  Qua- 
ky, and  enjoys  all  thofe  that  are  amiable :  Of  all  Ani- 
nals,  he  has  the  fined  Turn  of  Shape,  is  the  moll  noble 
ti  his  Inclinations,  the  moft  liberal  of  his  Services,   and 
he  moft  ffiigal  in  his  Food.     Caft  your  Eyes  on  all  the 
eft :  Do  you  fee  on  whofe  Head  difclofes  fo  much  Beauty  and 
5racefulnefs  ?  Can  we  difcover  any  Eyes  that  fparkle  with 
nore  Fire  ?  Where  do  we  behold  a  more  ftately   Cheft, 
lovelier  Body,   a  Main  that  floats  in   the  Wind  with 
;reater  Majefty,   and  Limbs  of  a  completer  Flexibility  ? 
jCt  him  be  managed  by  his  Rider,  or  diveft  him  of  his 
bridle,  and  fufFer  him  to  expatiate  in  full  Liberty  through 
he  Fields,  you  will  obferve,  in  all  its  Attitudes,  a  noble 
Deportment,  and  an  Air  which  makes  an  Impreffion  even 
»n   thofe  who  are  leaft  acquainted  with  his  Virtues.     He 
s  ftill  more  engaging  in  his  Inclinations,   and  indeed  can 
>roperly   be  faid  to  have   but  one,   which  is  to  render 
Jervice  to  his  Mafter.     Is  he  required  to  cultivate  his  Land, 
)r  carry  his  Baggage  ^'  he  is  always  prepared,  and  would 
boner  fmk  under  the  Weight  of  his  Labours,   than  de^ 
:line  them.    Is  he  to  bear  his  Mafter  him felf?  he  feems 
enfible  of  the  Honour,  he  ftudies  how  to  pleafe  him,  and, 
tt  the  leaft  Signal,    varies  his  Pace,   is  always  ready  to 
lacken,  redouble,  or  precipitate  it,  when  he  is  acquainted 
•vith  his  Rider's  Will.     Neither  the  Length  of  a  Jour- 
ley,  nor  the  Unevennefs  of  the  Way,  nor  Ditches,   nor 
Rivers   the  moft  rapid,    can  difcourage  him,    he  fprings 
:hrough  every  Obftacle,    and  as  a  Bird  whofe  Career  nq 
Impediment  can  check.     Is  he  called  to   any  other  Ser- 
irice;    is  it  incumbent  on  him  to  defend  his  Mafter,   cr 
bear  him  to  the  Attack  of  an  Enemy  ?  *  he  goeth  out  to 
meet  the  armed  Men,  he  mocketh  at  Fear,  and  is  not  af- 
frighted :  The  Sound  of  the  Trumpet,  and  the  Signal  for 
Battle,    awaken  his   Courage,   and  he  retreats  not  at   the 
Sight  of  the  drawn  Sword. 

Countefs.     But  this  is  a  Panegyric,   my  Lord. 

Count.  I  had  a  thoufand  Defcriptions   to  make  of  the 

Boundings  and  other  majeftic  Airs  of  a  Horfe ;    but  fince 

you  rally  me  for  the  firft  Part  of  a  Commendation  that 

was  uniludied,  and  couched  in  the  moft  military  Strain, 

*  Job,  xxxix.  ao» 

yott 


1 


206         D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E    XII. 

you  muft  excufe  me  from  giving  you  the  Second.  Now' 
Che'vaher,  jiroduce  your  Dog,  and  let  us  have  a  Lift  of 
his  AcGompliflinients. 

Che-valier.  1  (hould  be  glad  to  fee  him 
here;  for  he  is  more  agreeable  than  any  The  Dog. 
Defcnption  of  mine  can  render  him  :  He 
is  called  Mufti,  and  is  the  King  of  Shocks.  He  has  alE 
thatspleafing  in  his  Make;  large  Ears,  graceful  Whif- 
kers,  and  a  RufF  perpetually  whits.  He  has  no  Deficiency 
m  his  Exterior,  and,  with  all  this,  has  been  well  broke, 
and  performs  his  Exercifes  with  a  peculiar  Grace.  He  caa 
hunt,  dance,  leap,  and  fhew  a  hundred  Dexterities  •  A- 
mong  others,  he  brings  to  the  Company,  all  the  Cards- 
any  or  them  have  named. 

Co  W,.   How  is  itpcffible  to  train  up  Animals  defli- 
tute  of  Reafon,  to  thefe  Feats .? 

Chevalier     They  have,    at  leall,    a  certain  Degree  of' 
Memory.     A  Dog  is  firft  taught,    by  repeated  Trfals,    to 
,  knOTV  fomething  by  a  certain  Mark,    and  then  to  diliia- 
guift  one  Ace  from  another  ;    they  frequently  offer  hinv, 
l-ood  on  a  Card  he  is  unacquainted  with,  after  which  they! 
iend  him  to  find  it  oat  from  the  relt,    and  he  never  mif- 
takes._    Ihe  Habit  ot   profiting   by '  that  Difcovery   and 
receiving  Carelfes,  enables  him,    by  Degrees,,    to  grow  ac- 
quainted with  each  particular  Card,    and  he  brings  them 
with  an  Air  of  Gaiety,    and   without  Confulion  ,•  and  in 
Keahty      tis  no   more  furprifmg  to  fee  a  Dog  diftinguiiTi' 
one  Card  from  tlurty  otiiers,-   than  it  is  to  fee  him  dillin-' 
guifh    in  the  Street,  his  Matter's  Door  from  the  reft  in  the 
Neighbourhood.     But  M.fii  pleafes  me  moft  with  his  Dif- 
pofition    and  the  little  Policies  natural  to  him.   When]  take- 
my  Books  to  go  to  the  College,  my  poor  Dog,  who  knows' 
he  13  to  be  abient  from  me  three  Hours,  puts  on  a  melanclioly 
and  difconfentedAir:   He  plants  himfelf  before  my  Door 
and  waits  for  my  Return:    But  if,  inllead  of  my  Book/ 
1  take  my  Sword,    and  only  mention  the  Word  abroad    he 
Uies  to  impart  his  Happinefs   to  all  the  Neighbourhood ; 
iierunsup  anddown,    and  barks    in  fuch  a  Manner  "  as 
makes  it  impofTible  for  any  one  to  forbear  jautrhing '    If 
1  make  ,t  long  before  I  .go  out,    he  feems  to  fuiped  ['  am. 
confider.ng  how  to  difpofe  of  him ;  he  marclies  off  by  way 
of  Frevention,  and  waits  for  me  at  a  confiderable  Diftance 
J     .  lioia 


Of  Terrestrial  Ai^iatals.     207 

rom  my  Lodgings,  full  of  Hopes  to  be  one  of  the  Par- 
y.  If  I  tell  him,  that  muil  not  be,  he  expoflulates  with 
ne,  and  endeavours  to  prevail  on  me  to  revoke  my  Or- 
lers :  He  puts  on  an  Air  that  defervedly  pleads  Compaf- 
ion,  whea  he  is  pofitively  told,  that  he  mull  return 
H[ome;  but  there  is  no  Inftance  of  Gratitude  which  he 
ioes  not  teftify,.  when  I  fay  to  him.  Let  us  he  gone.  But 
he  Affair  is  quite  otherwife,  after  I  have  been  abfent  fome 
Days;  he  imagines  I  return  merely  on  his  Account,  com- 
nits  a  thoufand  Extravagancies,  and  a  Couple  of  Hours 
,re  not  fufiicient  for  him  to  make  me  fenfible  of  all  he 
las  at  Heart. 

His  Friendihip  (foes  not  end  there ;  he  feems  to  watch. 
Slight  and  Day,  to  preferve  me  from  being  injured  by 
my  one.  He  is  acquainted  with  all  that  pafles,  and  gives 
sie  Intelligence  of  each  Particular ;  but  makes  no  Ufe  of 
bis  Information,,  but  what  is  conformable  to  my  Orders  j; 
be  reads  his  Behaviour  in  my  Eyes,  and  when  any  one 
iflaults  me,  a  drawn  Sword  would  not  intimidate  him. 
Some  Months  ago  I  began  to  pradife  Fencing,  and  the- 
BrftTime  I  took  my  Leffon,  he  faftened  on  my  Mailer's 
Leg;  and  ever  fince  they  are  upon  fuch  indifferent 
Terms  with  each. other,  that  I  am  obliged  to  feparate 

:hem.  \  .        ^    ,.  • 

Count,  In  Reality,  all  the  moil  mgenious  Quahties 
a  Dog  is  capable  of  acquiring,  are  not  half  fo  valuable 
as  thofe  lively  and  courageous  IMances  of  Friendihip  he 
difcovers  for  his  Mailer  j  and  it  is  evident,  that  God  has 
Gonfigned  the  Dog  to  Man,  to  ferve  him  as  a  Companion^ 
and  to  aid  and  defend  him.  The  Services  we  receive  from 
Dogs  are  as  various  as  their  Species. 

The  Maftiff  and  the  Bull-dog  guard  our  Houfes  in  the 
Night,  and  'referve  all  their  Malignity  for  the  Seafon. 
wherein  People  may  form  bad  Defigns  againil  us.  The 
Shepherds  Dogs  are  equally  qualified  to  afiault  the  Wolves 
and  difcipline  the  Flock.  Among  the  Clafs  of  Sport- 
ing Dogs,,  the  Terrier  has  very  Ihort  Legs,  to  enable  him- 
to  creep  under  the  Grafs^  and  cart  through  Brakes  and; 
Bullies.  Th^  Greyhound  to  facilitate  his  Speed  througk^ 
the  Air,  has  received  a  fliarp  Head  and  a  flender  Body  :. 
His  Legs,  ^- that  are  fo  long  and  fpare,  llretch  over*  a 
large  Space  of  Ground,    and  la  SvViftnefs  he  even  exceeds 


2o8         DIALOGUE    XII. 

the  Hare,  whofe  whole  Safety  confifts  in  the  Promptitude 
and  Stratagems  of  her  Flight.  The  Greyhound  is  th$ 
Contrail  to  the  Terrier,  as  well  in  the  Strudure  of  his 
Body,  as  in  his  particular  fundions:  The  latter  has  a 
weak  Sight,  and  a  fine  Nofe,  becaufe  he  is  in  greater 
need  of  a  fure  Scent  than  a  piercing  Eye,  when  he  bu- 
ries himfelf  under  Ground ,  or  forces  his  Way  through 
a  thick  Underwood :  On  tlie  other  hand,  the  Greyhound, 
who  is  only  ufeful  in  the  Plain  has  but  an  indifferent 
Nofe,  but  then  he  never  fails  to  fee  and  diftinguifh  hi$ 
Prey  at  a  Dillance  through  all  her  Doublings.  The  Set- 
ting Dog  flops  and  fquats  dowa  when  he  fees  the  Game, 
to  give  his  Mailer  Notice  of  the  Difcovery.  There  are 
feveral  Sorts  of  thefe  Dogs,  whofe  Names  vary  according 
to  their  Qualifications ;  but  they  are  all  equally  zealous 
and  faithful  in  accomplifliing  the  Service  prefcri bed  them*. 
The  Mafter^  v./ho  is  feidom  fatisfied  with .  thofe  Friends 
who  accompany  him,  and  are  irregular  at  the  Sport, 
is  however  charmed  with  the  Capacity  and  TJnderftanding 
of  all  his  Dogs.  At  the  Cohclufion  of  the  Chace,  and 
the  fliort  Satisfaction  of  the  Carnage,  which  is  not  always 
granted  them,  they  all  return  to  the  Kennel  and  the 
String;  they  then  forget  their  Fiercenefs,  make  a  gay 
Surrender  of  their  Liberty,  and  without  murmuring  fub- 
3iut  to  the  coarfeft  Food.  Tis  fufHcient  for  them  to 
have  regaled '  their  Mailer  with  excellent  Venifon,  aed  a 
polite  Amufement. 

In  a  Word,  among  all  thefe  various  Domeflics,  who 
are  fo  fubmifSve  and  devoted  to  our  Interell,  there  are 
none,  even  down  to  Spaniels  and  the  Danijh  Breed,  bit 
what  render  themfelves  agreeable  by  their  Sprightlinefs, 
valuable  hy  their  AiTiduity,  and  fometimes  beneficial,  by 
a  feafonable  Intimation  given  to  their  Mailer  in  his  Slum- 
bers. Among  Animals,  I  know  but  very  few,  befides 
the  Horfe  and  Dog,  with  whom  one  can  maintain  a 
fi'iendly  Intercourfe ;  and  therefore  the  Proverb  fays> 
that  a  Man,  a  Horfe,  and  a  Dog,  are  never  weary  of 
each  others  Company. 

Count efs.  Mankind  have  a  commodious  Vehicle  in  a 
Horfe,  a  faithful  Guard  in  a  Dog,  and  in  both,   an  agree- 

*  Explk.  liu.  de  Touv.  des  6  jours. 

able. 


\ 


Of  Terrestrial    Animals.      209 

able    and    conftant  Amufement.      But    there   are  Things 
ftill  more  necejfTary  for  him  to  enjoy,    fuch  as  Food  and 
Raiment,    and  thefe  he  is  fupplied  with  by  the  Cattle. 
The  Flefh  of  thefe  Animals  is  fo  nouriihing  and  perfefl, 
that  we  leave  the  moll  exquifite  Delicacies  to  return  to 
them,    and  are  never  fatisfied  with    the  Collations  they 
aiFord  us.     Whilll  we  permit  them  to  live,    how  do  they 
employ  their  Time?    It  is  evident   that  the   Cow,    the 
Goat,    and  the  Sheep,   have  been  placed  among  us  to  ia- 
creafe  our  Riches :    We  feed  them  with  a  few  Herbs,    or 
allow  them  the  Liberty  to  range  in  the  Fields,  and  fupply 
tliemfelves  with  thofe  Frodndions  that  are  leaft  beneficial 
to  us,   and  they  return  every  Evening,    to  repay  this  Obli- 
gation with  a  liberal  Flow  of  Cream    and  Milk.      The 
Night  is  no  fooner  pafTed,  but  they  earn,  by  a  fecond  Pay- 
ment, the  Suftenance  of  the  fucceeding  Day.     The  Caw 
alone  furnifhes  the  Poor  with  what  fuffices  them  next  to 
Bread  ;    and  crowns  our  Tables  with  Riches  and  the  moft 
delicious  Variety.      The  Sheep,    content  to    be  array'd 
only  in  Winter,  reiigns  to  us  the  Ufe  of  his  Fleece  in  the 
Summer.     In  a  Word,   we  derive  from   this  Set  of  Ani- 
mals, as  well  as  thofe  who  are  lefs  regarded,    an  hundred 
other  Conveniencies,   which  we  cannot  receive  from  thofe 
who  fly  from  Man.     The  wild  Beafts  never  approach  us 
but  with  a  View  to  rob  us ;   the  domeftic  Animals  afTociate 
with  us,    for  no  other  Reafon,   but  to  favour  us  with  their 
Donations;  and  if  the  Value  of  their  Prefents  is  anyway 
diminilhed,  it  is  becaufe  we  daily  receive  them,  and  think 
no  more  of  them ;   they  are  depreciated  by  the  Eafinefs 
of  obtaining  them.     But,    in  Reality,    this  is  a  Circum- 
fiance  which   enhances  their  Merit.      A  Liberality  that 
knows  no  Interruption,  and  is  daily  repeated,  is  ever  wor-.- 
thy  of  new  Returns  of  Gratitude;  and  the  leafl  we  can  .do 
when  we  receive  a  Benefit,  is  to  vouchfafe  an  Acknowr 
ledgment  to  the  Donor. 

Thefe  Animals  are  perpetually  before  our  Eyes,  and  I 
daily  difcover  fome  new  Traces  of  a  wife  Ordination  and 
a  benevolent  Providence.  When  I  confider  a  Dam,  I 
behold  a  Tendemefs  in  her  for  her  Young,  that  reaches 
even  to  Excefs,  The  Young  has  no  Knowledge  of  any 
Thing,  and  is  in  a  perfed  State  of  Incapacity ;  But  the 
Eondnefs  of  the  Mother  fupplics  ever/  Deficiency,   and 

her 


2IO       DIALOGUE    Xir. 

her  Off-fpring  has  all  its  NecefTities  relieved.  If  I  cafl  my 
Eye  on  this  Young,  it  is  a  new  Objed  of  Admiration, 
through  all  the  Variety  of  its  Progrefs :  Before  he  is  ca- 
pable of  feeing,  it  can  find  the  Teat,  and  tho'  it  be  igno- 
rant of  the  Neceflitv  of  preiTing  it,  the  Creature  very 
dextroufly  employs  its  two  fore  Paws  alternately,  and  by 
thefe  means  prelTes  out  the  Nourilhment.  If  the  Parent 
and  her  ORspring  are  feparated  for  any  Time,  they  feek 
one  another  with  equal  Impatience;  and  when  they  are 
near,  enough  to  be  heard,  they  give  mutual  Notice  by 
Cries,  that  are  perfeflly  intelligible  to  them  :  The  Mo- 
ther, can  diftinguifh  the  Bleating  of  her  Young,  amidft 
a  thoufand  Lambs ;  and  this,  amidil:  the  Cries  of  a  thou- 
fand  Mothers,  knows  the  Voice  of  the  Parent  who  an- 
fwers  her.  The  Shepherd  himfelf  is  deceived,  but  the 
Dam  and  her  Young  are  never  miftaken,  and  the  mutual 
Informations  they  give  of  their  Arrival,  are  foon  fuc- 
ceeded  by  a  grateful  Re-union. 

When  the  Young  becomes  llrong*  and  capable  of  pro- 
viding for  himfelf,  it  is  but  reafonable  that  the  Parent 
ihould  be  difcharged  from  that  Care ;  fhe  accordingly 
drives  him  away,  and  treats  him  with  Severity,  if  he 
perfifls  in  following  her;  and  the  Tendernefs  of  die  one 
continues  no  longer  than  the  NeceiTities  of  the  other ;  the 
Young,  deprived  of  his  Milk,  is  obliged  to  habituate 
himfelf  to  a.  lefs  delicate  Food ;  he  learns  to  nibble  the 
Grafs,  and  ruminate  in  the  Night,  what  he  had  cropped 
and  referved  in,  the  Day.  By  degrees  he  diilinguifhes  the 
Seafons:  In  the  long  Days  of  Summer,  he  refts  and  ru- 
minates, becaufe  he  may  do  both  without  Hazard ;  but  in 
the  Winter  J,  when  the  Days  are  fhort,  he  has  no  Time  to 
lofe;  he  eats  with  as  much  DifpatQh  as  pofTible,  and  com- 
pleats  the  DigeRion,  by  re-chewing  the  Food  at  his  Lei- 
fure  in  the  Night.'  '""' '    ""' 

One  might  make  a  thoufand  Obfervations  more  on  do- 
meilic  Animals,  but  I  am  curious  to  know  what  the  Prior 
has  referved  for  us. 

Prior,  The  Animal,  whofe  Panegyric  I  am  going  to 
make,  has  a  Set  of  Qualities  very  peculiar.  He  is  not 
ufed  in  all  Places,  but  his  Services  are  very  extenfive  and 
profitable  to  Mankind  ;' the  whole  World  cannot  produce 
?li  more  laborious  Creature,   and  at  the  fame  time,   one 

more 


j^^a/v  'jy  /o^-  -7'  /t^c  2M 


A  Mctte  Sctt//^S. 


^.A  t^zTne  JE^/ef^/i/7/2t. ^ A  Owiel  l^^ude^,  CA.  Qumlfyin^  d^mm.  ta^^e^  un/^^decL. 


^..ii>^^  Sifi//^S. 


I 


Cy  Terrestrial  Animals.     211 

ore  indefatigable,    abilemious  and  patient.     Ycu  ima- 

ne  perhaps/  I  am  fpeaking  of  the  Ele- 

lant,  who,  if  People  are  fo  inclined,  may     The  Elephant 

taught  to  obey  a  Child,    and  bears  on     and  Camel, 
s    Back   Towers    filFd    with    Warriors, 
thout  being  intimidated  at   the  Havock   of  the  Battle; 

you  may  think  I  mean  the  Camel,    who  is  fei-viceable 

long  Journies ,  is  able  to  carry  a  thoufand  Pound 
'eight,  crofTes  Defarts  without  drinking,  and,  as  foon  as 
;  arrives  at  the  Inn,  obligingly  bends  his  Knees,  and 
wers  himfelf  to  the  Earth,  in  order  to  facilitate  the 
ifcharge  of  his  Burden:  Thefe  Creatures  have  their  Me« 
:,  but  the  Animal  who  is  to  be  the  Subjed  of  my  Dif- 
lurfe,  is  abundantly  more  ufeful,  and  more  generally  em- 
oy*d. 

Chevalier y  May  we  know  his.  Name  ? 

Frior.  Since  I  mull  declare  it,,  it  is  the  Afs. 

Chevalier.  Blefs  me,  Sir,  what  a  Choice  have  you^ 
lade  ? 

Countefs,   Had  you  no  Animal  to  introduce    but  thisi 
Jhy  did  you  not  take  the  Cat,   who  is  fo 
;ry  ferviceable?    She  is  diverting  in  her     The  Cat. 
lay :   You  would  have  a  hundred  Things  ^      ' 

I  fay,  and  a  Number  of  Applications  to  make,  with  ie- 
>ea  to  her  hypocritical  Mien  j  her  Paw  fo  foft,  and  yet 
•med  with  Tallons,  her  Craft,  her  Stratagems,  and  per- 
^tually  defigning  March :  There  would  be  Matter  e- 
3Ugh  to  exercife  your  Style. 

Prior,  All  the  World  gives  up  the  Afs!  and  therefore, 
intend  to  take  him  under  my  Proteftion.  This  Anim.al,. 
nifidered  in  a  particular  Light,  gives  me  a  great  deal  of 
leafure ;  and  I  hope  to  make  it  evident,  that  far  from 
seding  any  Candour  or  Apology,  he  may  be  the  Sub- 
(51  of  a.reafonable  Panegyrick. 

I  confefs,  the  Afs  is  not  Mafter  of  very 
lining  Qualities ;    but  then  he  enjoys  thofe     The  Afs. 
bat  are  very  folid.     If  we  refort  to  other 
inimals  for  diftinguilhed  Services,,  this  at  leafl  fumifhes  us 
/ithfuch  as  are  moft  necellary.      His  Voice  is  not  alto- 
;ether  melodious,    nor  his  Air  majeilic,    nor  his  Manners 
ery  lively  ;    but  then,    a  fine  Voice  has  very  little  Merit 
V'ith  People  of  Solidity.    With  him,   the  Want  of  a  no- 


212        DIALOGUE     Xir. 

ble  Air  has  its  Compenfation  in  a  mild  and  modeil  Couni 
tenance;  and  inflead  of  the  boifterous  and  irregular  Qua- i ,, 
hties  of  the  Horfe,    which  are  frequently  more  incommo-  |] 
dious  than  agreeable,   the  Behaviour  of  the  Ais  is  intirely  j 
tople  and  unafl^ded  ;     no  fupercilious  and  felf-fufficient:  ' 
Air.     He  marches  with  a  very  uniform  Pace,    and  though 
he  IS  not  extraordinary  fwift,    he  purfues  his  Journey  for  a 
long  Time,    and  without  Intermiffion.      He  finilhes  his^ 

J  J-  ^"  S^l^^ce,  ferves  you  with  a  fteady  Perfeverance, 
and  difcovers  no  Ollentation  in  his  Proceedings,    which- 
^  certainly  a  confiderable  Accomplifhment   in  a  Dome- 
ftic.     His  Meats  require  no   Preparation,    for   he  is  per- 
feaiy  well  contented  with  the  firil  Thiitle  that  prefents  it- 
idf  m  his  Way^    he  does  not  pretend  any  Thing  is  duej 
to  him,    and  never  appears  fqueamiOi  or  diffatisfied;    he; 
thankfully  accepts  whatever   is  offered  him;    he  has  an 
elegant  Relifh  for  the-  bell  Things,    and  very  civilly  con- 
tents himfelf  with  the  moft  indifferent.     If  he  happens  to 
be  forgotten,  or  is  faftened  a  little  too  far  from  his  Fodder^ 
hemtreats  his  Mailer,  ^  in  the  moll  pathetic  Language  he 
can  utter,  to  be  fo  good  as  to  fupply  his  Necelhties.     'Tis 
very  juff:  that  he  (hould  live,  and  he  employs  all  his  Rhe- 
tone  with  that  View.     When  he  has  finiihed  hisExpollu- 
lations^    he  patiently  waits  the  Arrival  of  a  little  Bran,  or 
a  few  withered  Leaves;    and   the  Moment   he  has    dif- 
patched  his  hafty  Meal,,  he  returns  to  his  Bufinefs,  and 
inarches  on  without  a  Murmur  or:  Reply,     Thefe  are  cer- 
tainly very  valuable  Accomplifhments.      Let  us  now  fee 
how  he  is  employed. 

His  Occupations  have  a  Tinge  of  the  Meannefs  of  thofe 
who  fet  him  to  work,  but  the  Judgments  that  are  formed 
both  of  the  Afs  and  his  Maffer,  are  equally  partial.  The 
Emplayments  of  a  Judge,  a  Man  of  Confequence,  and 
an  Officer  of  the  Revenue,  have  an  important  Air,  and 
their  Habit  impofes  on  the  Spedlators :  On  the  contrary, 
the  Labour  of  the  Peafant  has  a  mean  and  contemptible 
Appearance,  becaufe  his  Drefs  is  poor,  and  his  Condition 
defpifed.  But  we  really  make  a  falfe  Ellimation  of  thefe 
Particulars.  'Tis  the  Labour  of  the  Peafant  which  is  moft 
valuable,  and.  alone  truly  neceflary.  Of  what  Impor^ 
tance  is  it  to  us,  when  a  Manager  of  the  Revenue  glitters 
ftam  Head  to  Foot  with  Gold  ?    We  have  no.  Advantage 

by 


Of  Terrestrial  Animals.       213 

r  his  Labours.     I  confefs  Judges  ancTAdvocates  are,    in 
me  Meaiure  neceflary,    but  they  are  made  fo  by  our 
allies  andMifbehaviour;    for  they  would  no  longer  be 
anted,    could  we  condu£l  ourfelves  in  a  rational  Man- 
^r:  But,  on  the  other  hand,  we  could,   on  no  Account, 
id  in  no  Seafon  or  Condition  of  Life,    be  without  the 
jafant  and  the  Artifan.  Thefe  People  may  be  confidered  as 
e  Soul  and  Sinews  of  the  Community,  and  the  Support 
*  our  Life.      'Tis  from  them  we  are  conftantly  deriving 
me  Accommodation  for  our  Wants.     Our  Houfes,    our 
abits,  our  Furniture,  and  our  Suftenance,  rife  out  of  their 
abours.     Now,   what  would  become  of  your  Vine-dref- 
rs,    Gardeners,    Mafons,   and  the  Generality  of  Country 
eople,  that  is  to  (ay,  two  thirds  of  all  Mankind,  if  they 
ere.deilitute  of  either  Men  or  Horfes  to  convey  the  Com- 
lodities    and  Materials   they  employ  and  manufa^ure? 
'he  Afs  is  pei:petually  at  their  Service :  .He  carries  Fruits, 
[erbs,  Coals,  Wood,  bricks.  Tiles,  Plaiiler,  Lime,  and 
traw.     The  moil  abjecl  Offices  are  his  ordinary  Lot,  and 
is  a  fmgular  Advantage  to  this  Multitude  of  Workmen, 
5  well  as  ourfelves,  to  find  a  gentle,    itrong.and  indefati- 
able  Animal ;    who,  without  either  Expence  or  Pride,  re- 
leniihes  our  Cities   and  Villages  with   all  Sorts  of  Com- 
nodities.     A  ihort  Comparifon  will   compleat  the   IlJu- 
:ration  of  the  Ufefulnefs  of  his  Services,   and,    in  fome 
neafure,  raife  them  out  of  their  Obfcurity. 

The  Horfe  very  much  refembles  thofe  Nations  who  are 
bnd  of  Glitter  and  Hurry  i  who  are  perpetually  fmging 
md  dcincing,  and  extremely  ftudious  to  fee  off  their  Exteri- 
)r,  and  mix  Gaity  in  all  their  Adions.  They  are  admir- 
able, in  fome  diftinguiihed  and  decifive  Occafions ;  but 
heir  Fire  frequently  degenerates  into  Rojnantic  Enthu- 
lafm  :  They  fall  into  wild  Tranfports;  they  exhauft 
;hemfelves,  and  lofe  the  mofl  favourable  Conjunftures,  for 
ivant  of  Management  and  Moderation. 

The  Afs,  on  the  contrary,  refembles  thofe  People  v/ho 
fire  naturally  heavy  and  pacific,  whofe  Underftanding  and 
Capacity  are  limited  to  Hufbandry,  or  Commerce,  and 
who  proceed  in  the  fame  Track  without  Difcompofare,  and 
compleat,  with  a  ferious  and  pofitive  Air,  whatever  they 
iiave.once  undertaken. 

Countefs, 


ii4         DIALOGUE    Xlt. 

Cotmiefs.  Would  not  one  be  tempted  to  think  the  PHor*i 
Obfervations  true  in  every  Particular  ? 

Count,  There  is  certainly  fomething  more  than  Raillery 
in  what  we  have  heard ;  but  at  the  fame  time  it  is  infup- 
portable,  and  contrary  to  all  Decency,  to  make  an  Aca- 
demic Oration  in  honour  of  fuch  an  Animal :  'Tis  degra- 
ding us  who  are  the  Audience  ;  and,  if  I  am  feconded,  it 
will  be  declared  by  the  Majority  of  Voices,  that  the  Pr/^^r 
has  not  furniflied  hi^  Contingent,'  and  muft  therefore  be 
obliged  to  make  us  amends  for  the  Deficiency. 

Ghe^-valier.  The  Prior  \s  in  a  fair  way  of  making  ano* 
ther  Oration:  I  don't  fentetice  him  to  begin  again,  but 
I  confefs  I  heartily  defire  it. 

Countefs.  And  for  my  Part,  I  join  my  Authority  as 
Prefident,  to  the  Opinion  of  the  Company,  and  declare, 
that  the  Pwr  ought  to  furnifh  us  with  a  more  popular 
Encomitim  ;  and  if  the  Gentleman  fhould  not  think  it  pro- 
per to  chufe  his  Subjt6:  among  the  Domeliic  Animals 
let  him  have  Recourfe  to  thofe  that  are  favage. 

Prior.  Thofe  who  make  Lavvs,  have  a  Privilege  to  in- 
terpret them : .  May  I  therefore  be  permitted  to  take  fomc 
foreign  Animal  ? 

Countefs.  You  may  command  the  four  Parts  of  the 
World:  But  pray  favour  me  a  Moment:  Can  you  give 
413  a  Defcription  of  that  Animal  who  is  fuch  an  excellent 
Archited?  I  muft  beg  you  to  aflill  my  Memory,  for  I 
cannot  recolle<5l  his  ISIame. 

)  Prior,    I  don*t  know  any  Animal  who 

The   Field-         builds  a  more  commodious  Habitation,  un- 
Moufe.  der  Ground,    than  the  Field-Moufe,    who 

fcoops  out  feveral  fubterranean  Cells,  that 
have  a  free  Communication  with  one  another ;  in  fome 
of  thefe  the  Creature  ftores  his  Provifions,  which  confill 
of  Fruits,  according  to  the  Seafon,  but  efpecially  Nuts 
and  Ears  of  Corn,  which  keep  longer  than  any  other  Ar* 
tide  of  his  Food,  and  are  piled  in  Heaps.  There  are  o- 
ther  Cavities,  where  the  Family  are  difpofed  on  little  Beds 
of  Wool  and  Flew.  At  the  Extremity  of  the  Lodge, 
is  a  Magazine  that  furnifhes  all  the  reft  with  Accommoda- 
tions in  a  very  elegant  Manner. 

Countefs.  It  is  good  to  know  thefe  Particulars;  but  this 
is  jiot  the  Animal  I  meant. 

Prior, 


Cy  Terrestrial  Animals.      2i| 

Prior.  Perhaps  your  Lady  Ihip  means  the 
S^orcuplne,  or  elfe  the  Hedghog,   who  have     The  Porcu* 
llfo  their  Magazines.     There  is  a  perfe^     pine. 
Similitude  between  thefe  two  Species. 
f   The  Hedghog    (of  which  we  are  acquainted  with  two 
^inds,  one  more  common,  diliinguifli'd  by  the  Snout  of  a 
:iog,  the  other  lefs  frequently  feen,    and  formM  with  the 
slofe  of  a  Dog)  is  a  fmall  Animal,   intirely  covered  with 
'rickles  an  Inch  and  an  half  in  Length ;  and  very  like 
hofe  which  fhoot  from  the  Shells  of   Chefnuts.     When 
|ie  is  attacked,  he  bends  his  Head  and  Paws  under  him, 
ounds  himfelf  into  a  Ball,  and  ere6ls  his  -pointed  Quills, 
n  fuch  a  Manner,   that  Dogs  and  other  Animals  are  com^ 
belled  to  leave  him. 

The  Porcupine  is  a  much  larger  Creature,  and  hi9 
Length  fometimes  exceeds  two  Feet.  He  is  fhagged  all 
)ver,  with  hard  and  fharp  Hairs,  of  unequal  Length.) 
rom  two  or  three,  to  twelve  Inches  and  mpre  :  Thefe  are 
haped  like  the  Stalks  of  Corn,  wath  Intermixtures  of  black 
md  white;  they  likewife  fwell  towards  the  Middle,  and 
erminate  in  a  Point  with  two  fliarp  Sides.  This  Animal 
Drefents  his  Side  to  his  Enemy,  ereds  all  his  Darts  with  a 
nenacing  Air,  and  fometimes  plunges  them  fo  deep,  in 
he  Flefh  of  the  Creature  by  whom  he  is  affaulted,  that 
feveral  of  them  remain  in  the  Wounds,  and  are  de- 
[ached  from  his  Body  v/hen  he  retires.  The .  Sockets 
)f  thefe  are  afterwards  filled  by  others,  which  are  en- 
larged by  I'ime. 

The  Hedghog  makes  another  Ufe  of  his  commodious 
)arts,  for  he  roils  himfelf  over  Apples^  Grapes,  and  all 
?ther  Fruits  he  can  fmd  under  the  Trees,  and  carries  them 
)ff  on  his  iharp  Quills,  in  the  befl:  Manner  he  can.  He 
tats  what  takes  up  mofl  Pvoom  in  his  Ceil,  or  is  apt  fooneft 
o  decay,  and  endeavours  to  have  a  Referve  of  Nuts  for 
phe  latter  Seafon;  but  palTes,  the  .Severity  of  the  Winter  in. 

Sleep.  •'/.*"'  sh"^'>  rr*Vr  .'* 

Countefs.  This  Animal  has  lif^wife  its  Merit ;  but'Tam' 
thinking  of  another,  that  my  Merchant  of  St,  Malo  enter- 
tained Ub  fo  agreeably  with  the  other  Day. 
^  Prior,  Her  Lady riiip  means  the  Beaver, 
Countefs,  The  very  lame. 

Prior, 


2i6       DIALOGUE    XII. 

Pr/V.  But  the  Defcription  of  this  Creature,  Madam 
ivill  be  infinitely  more  agreeable  from  you  than  me. 

Count efs.  Very  well  indeed.  What  Sort  of  Confciencei 
Sir,  do  you  adl  by  ?  You  firfl  contra^  a  Debt,  and  ther 
defire  another  to  difcharge  it. 

Prhr,  Compliance,  1  find,  is  abfolutely  necefTary.  Tc 
the  Point  then.  We  may  confider,  in  the  Beaver,  theUft! 
made  ^f  his  Skin,  and  the  Dexterity  with  which  he  builds 
his  Habitation. 

This  *  Creature  is  about  four  Foot  in 
The  Beaver.  Length,  and  twelve  or  fifteen  Inches  broad; 
His  Skin,  in  the  Northern  Regions,  is  gene-5 
rally  black,  but  it  brightens  into  a  reddifh  TinAure  in  the! 
temperate  Climates.  He  is  covered  with  two  Sorts  of  Hair, 
one  long,  and  the  other  a  foft  Down  ;  the  latter,  which  is 
an  Inch  in  length,  is  extremely  fine  and  compaft,  and 
accommodates  the  Animal  with  a  necefTary  Warmth, 
The  long  Hair  preferves  the  Down  from  Dirt  and  Hu- 
midity. 

The  Beaver,  whether  Mafe  or  Female,  has  four  Bags, 
under  his  Inteftines,  impregnated  with  a  refinous  and  liquid 
Subftaace,  which,  when  it  is  ejedled,  fettles  into  a  thick 
Confiftence.  We  -fhall  prefently  fee  to  what  Purpofe  the 
Creature  employs  it  Phyficians  call  it  Caftt)reum,  and  pre- 
fcribe  it  as  an  excellent  Remedy  againft  Poifons,  Vapours, 
and  other  Indifpofitions ;  but  when  it  grows  old,  it  blackens 
and  degenerates  into  a  dangerous  Poifon. 

They  ftrip  the  long  Hair  from  the  Beaver's  Skin,  and 
manufaaure  the  Down  into  Stockings,  Caps  and  Stuffs ; 
but  thefe  have  been  found  liable  to  harden  like  Felt,  and 
are  therefore  difufed  in  feveral  Places,  fo  that  at  pre- 
fent  the  Beaver  is  ufed  for  little  el^fe  than  flats  or  Furs. 
There  is  one  Circumiiance,  which/you  may  be  apt  to  thing 
incredible,  though  the  Fa<^  be  certain  ;  what  I  mean  is 
this ;  the  Beavers  Skins  are  moll  valuable,  when  the  wild 
Natives  of  the  Country  have  lain  upo;i  them  a  confidera- 

*  Memoir  de  PAcadem.  des  ScIenc  1704.  Lettre  de  Mr.  Sarra- 
2en  Medecin.  du  Roi  envoie  au  Canada.  Voyage  du  Baron  de  la 
Honton,  Meraoires  pour  Tiiiiloire  des  Animaujc,  de  rimpriraerie 
Koyale, 

ble 


^.  ^/?^  ^C7ruf} 


.o^ty/^-  iA:?ra^H?ifJi.^/u-  ^■6:^yA^j^.CQ7o.-^caz^r 


/.  //,.//,- y.v//^- 


Of  Terrestrial   Animals.       217 

e  Time ;  for,  by  thefe  Means,  the  long  Hair  falls  off, 
d  the  Down  becomes  compa^l  and  moiil  by  Tranfpira- 
m,  and  confequently  fitted  to  be  manufadlured.  But  I 
rceive  the  Chevalier  will  grow  impatient,  if  I  don't  fhew 
m  the  Beaver's  Dwelling. 

Chenjalier,  Will  you  begin,  Sir,  as  you  did  with  Bees, 
d  inform  me  what  Implements  this  Creature  is  furniihed 
th  for  Building  ? 

Prior.  He  has  three,  his  Teeth,  his  Paws,  and  his  Tail : 
is  Teeth  are  ilrong,  and  deeply  rivetted  into  his  Jaws, 
ith  a  long  and  crooked  Root :  With  thefe  he  cuts,  as 
i\\  the  Wood  with  which  he  builds,  as  that  which  furniflies 
m  with  his  Food.  His  Fore-feet  refemble  thofe  of  fuch 
nimals  as  hold  what  they  eat  in  their  Paws,  as  Apes,  for 
ftance,  and  Rats  and  Squirrels  ;  with  thefe  Feet  he  digs, 
^tens  and  works  the  Clay,  which  is  extremely  ferviceable 
him .    His  Hind-feet  are  accommodated  with  Membranes, 

large  Skins,  extending  between  his  Toes  like  thofe  of 
ucks,  and  all  other  Water-Fowl :  This  makes  it  evident, 
at  the  Author  of  Nature  intended  the  Creature  fhould  be 
iphibious.  His  Tail  is  long,  a  little  flat,  intirely  covered 
th  Scales,  fupplied  with  Mufcles,  and  perpetually  lubri- 
ted  with  Oil  or  Fat:  This  Animal,  who  is  an  Architeft 
)m  his  Nativity,  ufes  his  Tail  inllead  of  a  Hod,  for  the 
)nveyaTice  of  his  Clay  or  Mortar,  and  a  Trowel  to  fpread 
d  form  it  into  an  Incruilation  :  The  Scales  prevent  thefe 
aterials  from  penetrating  the  Tail  with  their  Coldnefs 
d  Humidity.     But  the  Scales,  as  well  as  the  Tail,  would 

injured  by  the  Air  and  Water,  were  it  not  for  the  Pre- 
ntion  of  an  Oil,  which  he  diilributes  all  over  them  with 
;  Snout ;  and  the  Bags  I  have  already  mentioned,  are 
doubtedly  the  Magazines  of  this  Fluid. 
The  Beavers  inhabit  the  fame  Manfion  in  great  Num- 
rs,  unlefs  violent  Heats  or  Inundations,  the  Purfuits  of 
anters.  Scarcity  of  Provifions,  or  the  extraordinary  In- 
;afe  of  their  OiFspring,  oblige  them  to  feparate.  In 
3er  to^  raife  themfelves  a  convenient  Abode,  they  chufe 
Situation   that  abounds  with  Suftenance,  and  is  waihed 

a  Rivulet,  and  where  they  may  form  a  convenient  Re- 
yoir  of  Water  for  their  Bagnia  They  begin  with 
ilding  a  Mole  or  Caufey,  in  which  the  Water  may  rife 
a  Level  with  the  firft  Story  of  their  Habitation. 


2i8        DIALOGUE   XII. 

Che'valier,  The  firil  Story  [  Have  they  a  firft  and  a  fc- 
cond  like  ours  ? 

Prior.  Exadlly  the  fame.     But  let  us  firft  examine  the 
Caufey,    which   forms   their  watering  Place,    and  ferves 
to  raife  the  Water  to  a  fufEcient  Height.     This  Caufey, 
at  the  Foundation,    may  contain   ten  or  a  dozen  Feet  ini 
Thicknefs :  It  defcends  in  a  Slope,  on  the  Side  next  the 
Water,  which,  in   Proportion  to  its  Elevation,  gravitates: 
upon  the  Work,  and  prelTes  it  with  a  llrong  Tendency  to- 
wards the  Earth.    The  oppofite  Side  is  raifed  perpendicular 
like  our  Walls,  and  the  Slope,    which,    at  its  Bafis,   is 
twelve   Feet  broad,    diminilhes  towards  the  Top,  whofe? 
Breadth  does  not  exceed  two  Feet :  The  Materials  of  this! 
Work  are  Wood  and  Clay.    The  Beavers,  with  an  admira- 
ble Facility,  cut  the  Pieces  of  Wood,  fomeas  thick  as  one's  j 
Arm,    others  as  large  as  one's  Thigh,   and  from  two  to 
four,  five,  or  fix  Feet  in  Length,    and  fometimes  more, 
in  Proportion  to  the  Afcent  of  the  Slope.     They  drive  the: 
Extremity  of  thefe  very  near  each  other,   into  the  Earth, ) 
and  take  Care  to  interlace  them  with  other  Stakes,  morei 
flender  and  fupple.     But  as  the  Water,  without  feme  other  i 
Prevention,    would  glide  through  the  Cavities,  and  leave : 
the  Refervoir  dry,    they  have  Recourfe  to  a  Clay,  which 
they  perfedly  know  how  to  procure,  and  with  which  they  ' 
clofe  up  all  the  Interflices  both  withia  and  without,  and 
this  intirely  prevents  all  Evacuation.      They   continue  to  . 
raife  the  Dike,    proportionable  to  the  Water's  Elevation 
and  Plenty.     They  are  likewife  very  fenfible,  that  their 
Materials  are  not    fo  eafily   tranfported  by   Land  as  by 
Water,  and  therefore  take  the  Opportunity  of  its  Jncreafe,  , 
to  fwim,  with  Mortar  placed  on  their  Tail,  and  Stakes  of  , 
Wood  between  their  Teeth,    to  every  Place  where  they 
have  Occafion  for  thefe  Materials.     If  the  Violence  of  the 
Water,  or  the  Footlleps  of  Hunters  who  pafs  over  their  ■ 
Work,  damage  it  in  any  Degree,  they  immediately  repair 
the  Fradurc,  vilit  all  the  Edifice,  and,  with  indefatigable 
Application,    refit  and  adjufl  v/hatever  happens  to  be  dif- 
concerted.      But  when   they  are  too  frequently  perfecuted 
by  the  Hunters,  they  only  work  in   the  Night,    or  elfe 
difcontinue  their  Labours. 

When 


(y  Terrestrial  Animals.      219 

iVhen  the  Caufey  or  Dike  is  completed^  they  begin  to 
til  their  Cells,  which  are  round  or  oval  Apartments, 
ided  into  three  Partitions,  raifed  one  above  another, 
e  firfl  is  funk  below  the  Level  of  the  Dike,  and  ge- 
ally  full  of  Water ;  the  other  two  are  formed  above 
They  raife  this  Structure,  in  a  very  folid  Manner, 
the  Edge  of  their  Caufey,  and  always  in  Stories,  that, 
cafe  the  Water  fhould  afcend,  they  may  dwell  in  an 
;her  Situation.  If  they  find  any  little  Ifland  near  the 
fervoir,  they  fix  their  Dwelling  there,  which  is  then 
re  folid,  and  they  are  lefs  incommoded  with  the  Wa*- 
,  in  which  they  are  capable  of  continuing  but  a  fhort 
ne:  But  if  they  are  not  favoured  with  this  Advantage, 
y  drive  Stakes  into  the  Earth  with  their  Teeth,  to  fortify 
Building  againft  the  Winds  and  Water.  At  the  Bot- 
i  they  ftrike  out  two  Openings  to  the  Stream,  one  con- 
Is  them  to  the  Place  where  they  bathe,  and  which  they 
^ays  keep  very  decent,  the  other  is  a  PafTage  to  that 
arter,  where  they  carry  out  every  Thing  that  would 
or  rot  the  upper  Apartments.  There  is  a  third  Aper- 
j  much  higher,  calculated  to  prevent  their  being  fhut 
when  the  Ice  has  clofed  the  Openings  into  the  lower 
Igments.  They  fometimes  build  their  Houfe  intirely 
the  dry  Land,  and  fmk  Ditches  five  or  fix  Feet  deep, 
>rder  to  defcend  to  the  Water.  They  employ  the  fame 
terials  and  Induftry  in  the  Strut5lure  of  their  Dwelling, 
they  ufe  for  the  Caufey.  The  Walls  of  the  building 
perpendicular,  and  two  Feet  thick.  As  their  Teeth 
more  ferviceable  than  Saws,  they  cut  off  all  the  Pro- 
ions  from  the  Wood  that  Ihoots  out  beyond  the  Perpen^ 
liar  of  the  Wall ;  a^ter  which  they  work  up  a  Mixture  of 
,y  and  dry  Grafs,  into  a  kind  of  Mortar,  with  which, 
the  Aid  of  their  Tails,  they  rough-caft  the  Out  and 
des  of  the  Work. 

rhe  Edifice  is  vaulted  within,  like  the  Handle  of  a 
ket,  and  generally  rifes  in  an  oval  Figure.  The  Di- 
ifions  are  proportioned  to  the*Number  of  the  intended 
abitants.  Twelve  Feet  in  Length,  and  ten  in  Breadth, 
fufficient  for  eight  or  ten  Beavers.  If  the  Number 
reafes,  they  enlarge  the  Place  accordingly.  It  has  been 
itcd  for  a  Truth,  that  there  have  been  jfound  above 

L  z  four 


220        B  I  A  L  O  G  U  E    XH.  \^ 

four  hundred  of  thefe  Creatures,  in  different  Lodgmentijpi 
communicating  with  one  another.  But  thefe  popular  So;  jj, 
cieties  are  very  rare,  becaufe  they  are  too  unmanageable  and  ^,, 
tumultuous,  and  the  Beavers  are  generally  better  acquaint'-  ^^ 
ed  with  their  own  Interetls.     They  affociate  to  the  Num.  ,j 


ber  of  ten  or  a  dozen,  and  fometimes  a  few  more:  They 
are  a  Set  of  amicable  and  fagacious  Inhabitants,  in  whofc 
mutual  Society  they  may  propofe  to  pafs  the  Winter  to- 
gether,  in  a  very  agreeable  Manner.  They  are  gifted 
with  a  natural  Arithmetic,  which  enables  them  to  pro- 
portion the  Place  and  Provifions  to  the  Neceflities  of  the 
Company;  and  as  it  is  cuftomary  for. every  Individual 
to  continue  in  the  conllant  Poffeffion  of  his  own  Cell, 
they  never  charge  themfelves  with  .unneceffary  Expences  for 
any  accideptal  Guefls.  ,:] 

There  are  fome  Beavers  called  Terriers,  who  make  their 
Abode  in  Caverns  dug  in  a  rifmg  Ground,  either  oq 
the  Shore  or  at  fome  Diilance  from  the  Water,  to  whichj 
they  fcoop  out  fubterranean  Trenches  from  their  Cavern,' 
which  defcend  from  ten  to  an  hundred  Feet  in  Depth. 
Thefe  Trenches  furnifh  them  with  Retreats,  fituated  at 
unequal  Heights,  and  wherein  they  enjoy  a  Shelter  froni 
the  Water  when  it  afcends.  Their  Beds  are  made  of 
Chips,  which  ferve  them  inftead  of  a  Quilt,  and  of  Grafs, 
which  accommodates   them  in  the  Nature  of  a  Feather^ 

Bed.  ,         ,,   r^     . 

All  thefe  Works,  efpecially  in  the  cold  Regions,  are 
compleated  in  Juguft  ox  September,  after  which  Period 
they  furnifh  themfelves  with  Provifions.  During  the  Sum- 
mer Seafon,  they  regale  themfelves  with  all  the  Fruits 
and  Plants  the  Country  produces.  In  the  Winter,  they 
eat  the  Wood  of  the  A(h,  the  Plane,  and  other  Trees, 
which  they  fteep  in  Water,  in  Quantities  proportionable 
to  their  necelTary  Confumption;  and  they  are  fupplied 
with  a  double  Stomach,  to  facilitate  the  Digeftion  of  fuch 
a  folid  Food,  at  two  Operations.  They  cut  Twigs,  from 
three  to  fix  Feet  in  Length ;  the  large  ones  are  conveyed, 
by  feveral  Beavers,  to  the  Magazine,  and  the  fmaller  by 
a  fingle  Animal;  but  they  take  different  Ways.  Each 
Individual  has  his  Walk  affigned  him  to  prevent  the  La. 
bourers  from  being  interrupted  by  then-  mutual  Occalion^,. 


O/'TERREstRiAt   Animals^.        2^^r 

e  Dimenfions  of  their  Pile  of  Timber  are  regulated  in 
.portion  to  the  number  of  the  Inhabitants;  and  it  has 
'n  obfcrved,  that  the  Provifion  of  Wood  for  ten  Bea- 
•s    comprehended  thirty   Feet  in  a  fquare  Surface  and 

'in  Thicknefs.     Thefe  Parcels  of  Wood  are  not  piled 
in  one  continued  Heap,   but  laid  crofs   one  ar other, 
th  Interftices  between  them,  that  they   may  the  better 
iw  out  what  Quantity  they  want,  and  always  take  the 
reel  at  the  Bottom,  which  lyes  in  the  Water.     They 
t  this  Wood  into  fmall  Particles,  and  convey  it  to  their 
;11,  where  the  whole  Family  come  to  receive  their  par- 
ular  Share.     Sometimes:  they  expatiate  in  the  V/o<5ds, 
d  resale  their  Young  with  a  new  Collation.     The  Hun- 
•s,   vvho  are   fenfible  thefe  Creatures  love  green  Wood 
tter  than  old,  place  a  Parcel  of  the  former  about  their 
)dge,   and  then  have  feveral  Devices  to  enfnare  them, 
hen  the  Winter  grows  fevere,  they  fometimes  brearC  the 
e    and  when  the  Beavers  come  to  the  Opening,  ior  the 
jnefit  of  frefh  Air,    they  kill  them  with  Flatchets ;    or 
ake  a  large  Aperture  in  the  Ice,  and  cover  it  with  a  very 
•ong  Net,   and  then  overturn   the  Lodge;    upon  whuh 
e  Beavers,  who  think  to  efcape  in  their  ufual  way,  by 
Hng  to  the  Water/and  emerging  at  the  Hole  m  the  Ice, 
11  into  the  Snare,  and  are  taken. 

Chevalier.  'Tis  pity  to  overturn  the  Tenement  of  theic 
3or  Beads ;  one  can  no  where  elfe  diicover  fuch  remaik- 
^le  Induftry. 

Count.  Travellers  afcribe  almofl:  the  fame 
[iclinations  and  Labours  to  the  Civet  Cat,     The  Cau 
rho  is   an   Animal    peculiar   to  J;?ierka,     C.t. 
nd   larger    than    our  Houfe  Cats.     This 
Creature,  in  every  Particular,  ,is  a  Beaver  m  Miniature, 
nd  therefore  it  would  be  needlefs  to  make  him  the  Sub- 
:&.  of  any  further  Difcourfe. 

Countefs.  Chevalier,  do  you  take  notice  of  what  t..ey 
re  doing  on  the  Bank  of  the  Mote?  'Tis  an  Affair 
V herein  you  have  fome  Concern. 

Chevalier.  Where  are  thofe  Perfons  going  with  their 
>oles  and  Nets  ?  ^Tis  certainly  a  Party  of  Fiihing,  which 
aer   Ladyfliip  has  an  Inclination  to  entertain  me  with: 

L  3  ,     I 


222        DIALOGUE    XII. 

I  hope  thefe  Gentlemen  will  favour  us  with  their  Com- 
pany. 

Count.  We  are  infeparable  from  the  Che^alier^  and 
clleem  his  Pleafures  our  own. 

Prior.  You  know,  my  dear  Che'valier^  that  I  am  a 
Fiflier  of  Men :  I  hope  your  Employment  will  be  agree* 
able  to  you,  but  you  mult  permit  me  to  have  fome  Re* 
gard  to  mine. 


The  End  of  the  Hvelfth  Dialogue. 


FISHES. 


[  223  ] 


FISHES. 


Dialogue    XIII, 

« 

^he  Count  and  Countess. 
The  Prior,  and 
^he  Chevalier. 

'omtefs,    f^He'valier,    we  are  come  to  break  in  upon 

V^  your  agreeable  Meditations.      I  obferved 

ou  lying  above  an  Hour  on  the  Turf  that  borders  this 

;afon:    May   one  know  what  engaged  fo  much  of  your 

Lttention?  i      t»      t 

Chevalier,  T  have  been  making  a  Vifit  to  the  Perch 
nd  Carp  I  referved  out  of  our  Yeflerday's  Fifhmg,  and 
eftored  to  Liberty  in  this  Water  :  I  threw  fome  Bread  to 
hem,  which  they  devoured  with  great  Eagernefs :  I  have 
.bferved  all  their  Motions,  which  amufed  me  with  feveral 
rhoughts  on  the  Nature  of  Fifties,  and  I  have  a  number  of 
:)ue{tions  to  propofe  to  thefe  Gentlemen.  In  the  iiril 
>kce,  1  am  unable  to  comprehend,  why  the  Water,  that 
lilies  all  other  Animals,  fhould  be  no  way  injurious  to 
hefe  I  Ihould  likewife  be  glad  to  know  what  parti- 
'ular  Food  they  fubfift  on;  and  how  they  are  able,  with- 
out Feet,  Arms,  Talons,  Trunk  or  Sting,  to  advance  and 
feize  their  Prey. 

L  4  Counte/s, 


224        DIALOGUE  XIII. 

Countefs.  \^  your  Meditations,  Chevalier y  always  pro- 
duce fuch  reafonable  Queftions,  indulge  them  frequently, 
and  you  will  make  great  Difcoveries.  Every  Particular  you 
have  mentioned  has  employed  my  Thoughts,  and  I  Ihould 
be  glad  to  hear  the  Anfwers  thefe  Gentlemen  are  prepar- 
ing. 

Frior,  I  can  give  your  Ladyfhip  fome  Satisfaftion,  witln 
refpedl  to  the  Element  and  Food  of  Fiihes,  but  it  requires  a  i 
more  delicate  Philofophy  than  mine,    to  account  for  their 
progrefTive  Motions,  and  Manner  of  Swimming  :  This  mu^ 
therefore  be  his  Lordfhip's  Province. 

I  am  going  to  refume  the  Contemplations  of  our  amiable- 
Philofopher.  I  fland  on  the  Edge  of  the  greats  Bafon,  and 
fancy  myfelf  the  Chevalier,  engaged  in  the  following  Traim 
of  Thought.  I  have  conftantly  beheld  all  Nature  reple- 
r.ifhed  v/ith  Inhabitants.  The  Air  is  peopled  with- a  hun- 
dred ClafTes  of  Animals ;  others  expatiate  in  the  Fields,  and 
creep  on  the  Surface  of  the  Earth.  There  are  Families  in 
the  deep  RecelTes  of  Woods,  the  Hearts  of  Leaves,  and  un- 
der the  Bark  of  Trees.  The  very  Bowels  of  the  Earth  are 
hollowed  and  inhabitated  :  But  all  thefe  Creatures,  fo  diffe- 
rent from  each  other  in  their  Nature  and  Manner  of  Life, 
Jiave  one  Circumftance  in  common  among  them,  they 
breathe  the  fluid  Air  :  But  we  are  new  confidering  another 
El>en:ent,  in  which  they  all  die  when  they  are  plunged  in  it. 
Is  it  then  impoflible  to  live  in  the  Water?  And  is  that  E- 
leriient,  which  covers  more  than  half  the  Globe,  deititute 
of  Inhabitants  ?  Quite  the  contrary,  I  there  difcover  a  Va- 
riety of  Tribes ;  and  as  the  Animals  who  live  on  the  Earth 
die  in  the  Water,  fo  I  cbferve  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Waves 
perifh  in  the  Air,  and  are  incapable  of  living  out  of  the  Ele- 
ment to  which  they  are  configned :  But,  notwithflanding 
all  this,  I  find  it  difficult  to  comprehend  in  what  manner 
their  Blood,  for  with  fuch  they  are  furnifhed,  is  capable  of 
Circulation,  and  why  it  is  not  coagulated  and  condenfed  by 
the  extraordinary  Chill nefs  of  the  Waters.  The  terreftrial 
Animals  are  accommodated,  either  with  Feathers,  or  a  de- 
licate Down,  or  cloathed  with  good  Furs,  garnifhed  v/ith 
Hair,  to  defend  them  from  the  Jmpreifions  of  the  Air, 
which  is  fometimes  exceffively  cold  ;  but  I  am  not  able  to 
difcover  the  leail  Similitude,  in  any  of  thefe  Circumftances, 
among  Filh.     What  are  they  fupplied  with  to  qualifv  them 

for 


0/  F  I  S  H  E  S.  225 

r  refilling  an  Element  much  colder  than       ^^^^  Cloathinfif 

e  Air  ?    Let  us  recollefl  what  we  have     ^f  Fifh.  ^ 

metimes  obferved,  either  in  handling  or 

ening  a  fiHi :    The  firH  Thing  that  ofFers  itfelf  to  the 

>uch  is  a  certain  Glew,  that  moiftens  all 

e  Surface  of  the  AnimaPs  Body.     In  the     ^^^  ^^^''' 

xt  Place,  I  obferve  a  Covering  compofed     rp,     n    1         ., 

flrong  Scales ;   and,   before  I  come  to     l^^.^^  . 
e  Flefh  of  the  Creature,  difcover  a  kind 

Lard  or  oily  Subftance,  extending  from  one  Extremity, 
the  other,  and  encompaffing  the  whole.  I  can  neither 
mprehend,  how  thefe  Scales  receive  their  Formation, 
•owth,  and  Supplies,  nor  what  is  the  Origin  and  Refer- 
ir  of  this  Oil :  But  thefe  Scales  hy  their  Solidity,  and  this 
1  by  its  Antipathy  to  the  Water,  fupply  the  Fifh  both 
th  Warmth  and  Life,  and  he  could  hot  be  accommo- 
ted  with  a  Robe  more  light  and  impenetrable  ;  fo  that 
iere-(^ver  I  diretl  my  Vie vv,-  I  perceive  a  Wifdom  perpe- 
dly  fe  tile  in  nevv  Defigns ;  perfeclly  acquainted  with 
^ry  Circumftan^e  of  its  Work,  and  never  contradicfled  or 
ibarraffed  by  the  Difobedience  of  the  Materials  it  em- 
)ys. 

Chevalier.  I  begin  to  find  I  meditate  very  well.'    I  am 
safed  to  hear  myfelf,   and  think  it  advifeable  to^conti- 
e. 
Prior,  Let  us  do  fo.'     But,  in  (lead  of  the  Bafon's  Edge, 

us  imagine  we  had  the  Shore  of  the  Ocean  in  Profpe^l. 
ft  us  take  our  Station  on  an  Eminence,  from  whence  our 
ew  may  be  extended  in  fuilLiberty  over  this  immenfe 
fon,  which  was  hollowed  by  the  Hand  of  the  Almighty, 
le  Salt  Waters  which  it  contains,  feem  to  have  a  manifeil 
?rility,  or,  if  they  give  Life  to  fome  particular  Animals, 
?ir  Flefh  will  be  improper  for  bur  Nourifhment.    But  I 
d   myfelf  miftaken,    and  God  has  not  conflltuted  Man 
^  Lord  of  the  Fiihes  of  the  Sea,    as  well  as  of  other  Ani-- 
lis,  in  vain:  1  even  obferve  a  Multitude  of  Fi flier- boats,  - 
ling  from   all  the  neghbouring   Shorer,    to  colled  the 
unties  of  the  Sea, 'and  whi:h  furnifn  us  with  a  Nourifh- 
mt  equally  diverfified  and  delicate.     Here  my  Aflonifh-  - 
^at  redoubles.     Navigators  have  m'lde  feveral  Attempts 

render  the  Water  of  the  Ocean  ferviceable  to  them  in 
ig  Voyage?,  nnd,  according  to  fome  Accounts,  have  fuc- 

L  5  cccded 


226        DIALOGUE   XIIL 

eeeded  to  a  certain  Degree,    but  this  Water  could  nevet 
be  made  lit  to   be  drank.      Th€  Sea  wafhes    from  the 
Lands  it  laves,  a  Vitriol  and  Bitumen,    which  being  like 
itfelf,    in   a    perpetual  Agitation,    difperfe   and    infmuate 
themfelves  into  the  fmalleil  Particles  of  the  Water,  in  foi 
intimate  a  Manner,    that    neither  Filtrations,    nor  thei 
Power  of  the  Still,,  nor  any  other  Methods  have  been  ablei 
to  purify  it  from  its  Brackiflinefs.      And  yet  it  is   in  this: 
Water,    whofe  Talle  is    fo  difpleafing  and  infupportable, 
that  God  nouriihes  and  brings  to  Perfedion,    the  Flefh  of 
thofe  Fifh,    which  the  Voluptuous  prefer  to  the  mofl  ex- 
quifite  Fowls.     Thefe  are  Things  which  feem  to  be  im- 
poiTible,  and  yet  are  not  to  be  contefled.     I  am  fenfible, 
at  every  Step  I  take,  that  God  obliges  me  to  believe  cer- 
tain Dodlrines  in  Nature,   as  well  as  Religion,   of  whiclti 
he  has  not  thought  6t  to  impart  to  me  an  adequate  Com- 
prehenfion ;     and  having  judged  it   fliflficient  to   difclofe: 
me,    the  Exilience  and  Reality  of  the  V/onders  produced  I 
by  his    Power,    he  requires  me  to  facrifice    my   Reafoai 
to  the  Nature  of  his  Works,  and  the  Manner  in  which  hei 
efi^^s  them. 

Let  us  continue  to  coaft  along  the  Shore,   and  approach^ 
one  of  thefe  Fifhers,    to  fee  wiiat  has  been  caught.      Ini 
an  Element  which  produces  nothing,    one  would  not  ima-.- 
gine,    either  the  Number  or  Fecundity  of  the  Inhabitants*: 
to   be  very  confiderable.      All  that  I  behold  furpaffes  my 
Capacity,   and  my  Reafon  is  liill  con  trad  ieled  by  Experi- 
ence.    I  obferve  a  Set  of  Filhermen,    who 
Shell-Fi/h.  contrary  to  my  Expedation,  have  taken  annj 

infinite  Number  of  Mufcles,    Crabs,    Lob« 

ilers,  and  other  Fifh  of  a  monflrous  Size  :    I  difcover  Piles 

of  OyRers,  vvliofe  Whitenefs  and  Fat  excite  my  Appetite. 

I    perceive    other    FiHiermen.  who  empty 

Flat  Fifh.  their  Nets,    and  obligingly  prefent  us  with 

a  Profuiion  of  Turlx)ts,  Flounders,    Dabs,  , 
Burts,    Plaice,    and  all  the  Species  of  Flat  Fifh,    whofe  • 
Flefh   is  fo   exceedingly  efteemed.      Li  another  View,    I 
take  Notice  of  a  whole  Fleet  of  Ships  loaded  with  Her- 
ring, and  this  is  now  the  Seafon  for  that  Fifhery.     *  At  o- 
ther  Times,  inflead  of  Herrings,  there  are  Shoals  either  of 

*  Ruikh.  Theatr,  Awm.  Toin,  I, 

Mackerel;*.! 


P/a&  a.^ /^J^  /^l 


c  i^ 


S 


T/mj/cu^/'- 


7^/i£j  OTi^  ^A^nfi/ii^imcf  .Aninza/j. t/o/s^s  /^j /ui^e  2a s 


c7im  ix.//?/  ro7/ic>> 


0/  F  I  S  H  E  S.  227 

ckerel  or  Whitings,  who  voluntarily  prefent  themfelves 
he  Coalls,    with  which  whole  Provinces  are  furnifhed, 
the  Capture  of   a  fingle  Day.     It  ihould  feem  as   if 
Sea  were  incapable  of   containing  the 
lafures  with  which  it  teems.      Legions     Smelts, 
Smelts   and   Flounders  quit   the  Sea  in 
Spring  of  the  Year,  and  fwim  up  the 
ers ;  Shads  follow  the  fame  Track,    and     Shads. 
)rove   their  FleQi  to  its    due  Perfedion 
the  frefh  Water ;    Salmons  continue  to  the  Month  of 
/v,  and  later,    to  inrich  the  Filhermen,    iixty  and  even 
hty  Leagues  from  the  Sea.     Every  Seafon  regales  us  with 
V  Pleafures ;    without  interrupting  the  ordinary  Prefents 
y  make  us  of  *  Lampreys,  Smelts,  Tunnies,  Goldfilh, 
ckets,    Soles,  Thornbacks,  and  fuch  a  Variety  of  others 
t  garnifh  our  Tables,   and  pleafe  every  Palate.     What 
)elicacy  and  Profufion  do  we  receive  from  the  Liberality 
this  Element!    But  this  very  Delicacy  might    render 
im  attainable  by  none  but  the  Rich  ;    or  the  Abundance 
ght  be  fo  extraordinary,    that  the  Corruption   of  the 
hole,    or  the  greateft  Part,    might  prevent  their  Con- 
nption  by  Man:    Both  thefe  Incovcniencies  are   reme- 
:d  by  a  little  Salt.     I  fee  all  our  Fifher- 
*n  employed  in  barrelling  up  their  Her-     Herrings, 
igs,    after  they  have  been  faked.     In  the 
Th  Seas  already  appear  the  VefTels  that  bring  us  from 
"^.cyofcundland,   that  is  to  fay,  from  a  Dillance  of  near  a 
oufand  Leagues  from  hence,    an  incredible  Number   of 
)dfiili  preferved  by  this  Precaution :    In  this  manner  the 
a  load's  us  with  its  Bounties,  and  at  the  fame  Time,  fup- 
ies  us  with  Salt  that  facilitates  their  Communication,  and 
:ures  their  Conveyance:    By  which   means,    the  Poor, 
ho  live  at  the   remotefl  Diilance  from    the  Ocean,    arc 
fo  made  Partakers  of  its  Favours  at  a  fmali  Expence. 
have  no  ExprelTions  that  can  rife  to  any  Equality  with 
y  Admiration  and  Gratitude.     In  this  Prodigality  of  the 
;a,    I  likewife  difcover  a  Precaution  that   enhances    the 
alue  cf  its  Gifts,    and  proves  a  new  Benediaion  to  us.^ 
'hofe   Fiili  who  are   wholeibme   and  palatable,    are  ex- 
emeiy  proliiic,    but  thcfe  whofe  Fiefli  is  difagreeable  and 

*  Billon,  de  AcjuatiU  .   - 

L  6  pernicious 


228        D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E    XIII. 

pernicious,  and  whofe  enormous  Size  renders  them  formL-t 
dable  toothers,  are  commonly  viviparous ;  that  is  to  fay. 
they  bring  their  Young  compleatly  formed  into  the  World, 
and  have  feldom  more  than  one  or  two  at  a  Birth:  Of 
this  Clafs  are  the  Whale,  the  Dolphin,  the  Porpoife,  and 
the  Sea-Calf.  The  fame  Wifdom  which  has  fo  advanta- 
geoufly  regulated  the  Bounds  of  their  Fecundity,  removes 
far  from  our  Shores  thofe  whom  we  have  no  Occafion  for, 
and  brings  to  our  Nets  all  the.  Spegies  moft  beneficial 
to  us.  ,-vi)V.' 

Whales,  Porpoifes,  and  all   tliiC  great:  Fjfh- whafe  Ap- 
pearance would  alarm  and  put.  to  Flight  thofe  who  nou- 
rifh  us,  feek  the,  high  Seas,  for  fear  of  being  driven  on  the 
Coafts,  where  they  would  be  deilitute  of  a  fufiicient  Body. 
of    Water  to  fuftain  them.      An   invifible  Hand   impels 
them  to  thofe  Parts  that  are  abandoned  by  the  reft,    and 
prepares  for  them  a  Nourifhment  hitherto  unknown,  amidft 
fthe  Ice  of  the  North,    and  the  Seas  that  wafh  the  Coafls. 
of  Greenland',    or  it  drives  them  to  thofe  Parts,    in  order 
to  fupport  the  miferable  Inhabitants,    whom  it  would  not 
totally  negledl:    Thefe  People  eat  the  Flefti,    and  drink 
the  melted  Fat;   and  likewife  employ  the  Bones  and  Skin 
m  building,  as  well  as  the  lining  the  Boats  in  which  they , 
£fh. 

All  the  other  Species,  on  the  contrary,  come  in  Shoals 
to  our  Coafts,.  fome  are  always  with  us,  others  fwim  year- 
ly to  us  in  vafl  Multitudes;    the  Time  of  their  Pafiage,. 

and  their  particular  Track,  are  well  known; 
Fiih  of  Paflage.     and  very   fmgular  Advantages   are  derived, 

from   that   Knovv^edge.      Let ,  us    form    a 
Judgment  of  other  Fifh  of  Pafi'age,  by  Herrings  and  Cod.. 
The  Nation  of  Herrings  feem   to  have  their  Capital  be- 
tween   the    Points    of    Scotland,     Nor^cvay,    and   Denmark, 
From   that  Situation,    iht  Danijh  Colonies  take  their  Pro- 
grefs    every  Year,    and  traverfe  at    different  Times,    the 
Chanel ,     and    after   they    have    paffed   by  Holland    and, 
Flanders,  vilit  our  Neuftria.      But  however,    thefe  are  not 
a  Troop  of  BandUti,    who  coaft  about  at  random :    Their, 
Tour  is  prefcribed,    and    their   March    yearly  regulated, 
with  the  utmoil  Exaftnefs.     The  whole  Body  begin  their; 
Departure  at   the  fame  Time:     None   are   permitted   to 
ftraggle  out  of    their  proper  Track ;    none  among  them 

defert 


Of  F  I  S  H  E  S.  229^ 

ifert   or  commit    Depreciations :    They    continue    their- 
rogrefs  from  Coall  to  Coaft,    till   the  appointed  Period : 
^hty  are  a  numerous  People,  and  the  Voyage  is  long,  and 
hen  the  Body  of  the  Army  is  pafTed,  they  are  all  gone, 
id  none  of  the  fame  Species  make  their  Appearance  *till 
le  next  Year.      Attempts  have    been  made   to  difcover,- 
hat  induces  the  Herrings  to  undertake  fuch  a  Voyage, 
id  inipires   them  with   the  Policy  they   obferve.      Our-^^ 
ifliermen,    as  well  as   t\\Q{Qo^  Ho  Handy   have  obferved,: 
lat  the  Chanel  every  Year   teems   with  an    innumerable' 
[ultitude  of  Worms  and  little  Filh,    on  which  the  Her-- 
ngs  feed.     They  *  are  a  kind  of  Mannuy    which  thefe 
reatures  come  punftually  to  gather  up;    and  when  they 
ive   intirely  cleared  the  Seas,    in   the  Northern  Parts- of 
urope^    during  the  Summer  and  Autumn,    they  defcend- 
wards   the  South,     where   they  are  invited  by  a    new 
ock  of  Provifions;    but  if  thefe  fail,  they  proceed  to  ac* 
)mmodate  themfelves  elfewhere;    their  Paffage  is   more 
[peditious,  but  theFifhery  lefs  valuable. 

Our  Seas  are  but  little  frequented  by  Cod-iifh ;  whofe 
reiit  Re:-idezvous  is  at  the  vaft  Bank  before  Tv^^a'j/'^^WA?^^ :. 
'here  they  keep  their  Fellivals,  and  are  fo  prodigi-- 
afly  numerous,  that  the  Filhermen,  who  aflemble  there, 
om  all  Nations,  are  employed  from  Morning  to  Night,- 
\  nothing  but  calling  the  Line,  drawing  up  and  embowel-' 
[ig  the  Fifli,;  and  fixing  their  Entrails  on  Hooks,  to  en- 
tare  others,  f  One  Man  fometimes  catches  three  or  four 
lindred  in  a  JDay.  When  the  Suftenance  that  allures 
lem  is  exhaulled  in  thafe  Parts,  they  difperfe  and  pro- 
aim  War  againil  the  Wliitings,  which  they  are  extreme- 
'  fond  of:  4-.Thefe  fly  before  them,  and  we  owe  the  fre- 
ijent  Returns  of  thefe  Fifh  on  our  Coafis,  to  the  Chace 
iven  them  by  the  Cod- fifh. 

Now  I  have.mentioned  their  Wars-I  re* 
)liedt  what  has  been  told  me  of  that  which     The  Wars    of 
jigns  through  all  the  Species :    The  Sole,     Fjflies. 
lid  moil  flat  Fiili .  conceal  themfelves   in 
>e  Mud,  whofe  Colour  their  Backs  very  inu:h  refemble,- 

^  Leeuwenhoek  Op.   Phyf,  4z., 
+  Savari  Die  de  Comm. 
4- Leeuwenhcek,  ibid.. 

and 


230         DIALOGUE    XITI. 

and  are  attentive  in  obferving  where  the  Females  of  the 

large  Fifh  dig  Holes  for  their  Spawn  ;    on 

Their  Gene-        which  the  Males   afterwards  depofite  their 

ration.^  impregnating  Fluid,  in  order  to  render  that 

Spawn    prolific:     The   Sole   immediately 

fprings  from  her  Ambufcade,  and  folaces  herfelf  with  this 

exquifite  Food,  which  contributes  to  fatten  her,    and  gives 

her  an  admirable  Flavour.     The  fmall  Soles  in  their  I'urn, 

afford  a  Nourifhment   to  the  large  Crabs ;    and  as    fuch 

kinds  of  Shell-fifh  feldom  forfake  the  Gravel,   where  they 

fearch  for  the  Spawn  of  Fifh,    there  are  fcarce  any  Species 

of  them,  but  what  are  fuftained  by  this  Sort  of  Food,  and 

one  can  hardly  open  any  of  them,    without  finding  one 

or  two  little  Soles.     You  may  judge  of  the  other  Species 

by  this.     I  even  fufped,    that  the  minute  Crabs  that  are 

found  intire   in  the  Generality  of  Mufcles,    and   likewife 

the  little  Soles  that  are  difcovered  in  the  Gills  of  fome  o- 

ther  Filh,    are  confcious    of  their  extream  Smalnefs,    and 

are  therefore  follicitous  to  fecure  themfelves  a  Shelter,    in 

that  Situation,  from  the  Teeth  of  voracious  Fiihes. 

All  the  Tribes  of  Animals  who  breed  in  the  Water, 
from  the  largeft  to  the  leaft,  are  perpetually  in  Adion, 
and  at  War;  it  is  a  conflant  Scene  of  Stratagems,  Flights, 
Evafions,  and  Violence ;  they  mutually  plunder  and  de- 
vour one  another,  without  Remorfe  or  Moderation;  in  a 
Word,  the  Condudl  of  Fifh  refembles  that  of  Mankind, 
and  I  am  furprifed  that  no  one  has  been  tempted  to  allow 
them  the  Faculty  of  Reafon ;  but  a  more  ferious  Thought 
occurs  to  me.  If  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Water  are  always 
upon  the  Watch,  to  make  mutual  Depredations  on  tne 
fcatter'd  Spawn,  and  devour  one  another,  this  Element 
would  in  Time  ccafe  to  be  replenilhed,  and  indeed,  had 
long  ago  been  intirely  depopulated ;  as  the  fmalleit  Filh 
are  a  Prey  to  tie  flronger,  thofe  muft  have  been  all  de- 
flroyed,  and  thefe  in  their  Turn,  would  have  periihed  for 
Want  of  Suilenance,  but  nothing  can  be  more  frivolous 
than  the  Criticifms  made  by  Man  on  the  Works  of  God  ; 
he  has  provided  for  the  Prefervation  of  Fifh,  jby  giving 
Strength  to  fome,  and  to  others  Adlivity  and  Circum- 
fpe£lion ;  and  by  multiplying  them  to  fuch 
their  Fecundity,  an  atlonilhing  Degree,  that  their  Fecundity 
exceeds  their  natural  Impatience  to  devour 


0/  F  I  S  H  E  S.  231 

le  another*;  and  thofe  who  are  dellroyed,  are  Infinitely 
fs  numerous  than  the  Survivors  who  recruit  the  Species, 
.s  great  as  the  Number  of  Cods  may  be,  that  have  been 
mfumed  by  Man  this  Year,  or  devoured  by  other  Fifh^ 
hat  remains  of  that  Tribe,  is  always  more  than  fuffi- 
ent  to  furnifh  us  with  the  fame  Quantity,,  a  Year  or  two 
ence.  And  this  is  the  Demonilration :  When  I  went  ta 
lew  the  Port  of  Dieppe,  they  brought  us  a  very  fine  Cod,. 
Lit  much  inferior  to  thofe  we  receive  from  the  great  Bank,, 
was  curious  to  count  the  Eggs  {he  contained ;  in  order 
)  which,  I  took  as  many  as  weigh'd  a  Dram,  and  three 
F  us  engaged  to  number  them ;  we  agreed  pretty  well  in 
Lir  Account,  and  then  writ  down  the  Total  of  the  whole 
)ram ;  after  which,  we  weighed  all  the  Mafs  of  Eggs,, 
tid  repeated  eight  times  the  Sum  of  one  Dram  for  eye- 
j  Ounce,  which  contains  eight  Drams  f .  The  Addition 
f  all  thefe  Sums,  produced  a  Total  of  nine  millions, 
iree  hundred  forty- four  thoufand  Eggs. 

Couniefs.    I  don^t  pretend  to  compute  after  the  Priory 
nd  have  no  Difficulty  to  believe  what  he  fays  as  incredi- 
le  as  it  may  at  firft  appear.     A  common  Carp  \^  far  from 
aving  fuch  a  Number  of  Eggs  as  a  large  Cod ;    but  for 
11  that,    the  Quantity  is  fo  amazing,    even   at   the  firft 
Glance,    that   it   contributes  very  much   to  jullify  your 
Mculation.      All   you    have   related    allonifbes  me   ex- 
remely,  and  gives   me  likewife  an  Inclination  to    medi- 
ate, or  in  other  Words,  to  reafon.     When  we  are  curious 
0  know  what  may  be  the  End  or  Intention 
f  this  prodigious  Fruitfulnefs,   ''tis  certain-     TheTntentlonof 
y  not  to  (lock  the  Rivers  and  Sea,  with  as     this  Fecundity, 
nany  Fifties   as  there  are  Eggs,    for  if  it 
vas,  I  am  apt  to  think   the  Bafon    of  the  Ocean  itfelf 
vould  not  be  fufiicient  to  contain  them  .    But  we  fee  there 
s  a  double  View   in  this  Fertility  ;    one,    to  preferve  the 
Jpecies,    midfl    all    Accidents   that    may    happen,     and 
:he  other,    to  accommodate  the  Fifn  with  a  plentiful  and 
juicy  Food. 

Chevalier,  At  prefent,  I  fee,  in  fome'  meadire,  how 
Fifties  are  enabled  to  live  in  the  Water,  and  preferve 
their  Species.     I  there  diCcover  Shell-£lh,    V/orms,   Eggs, 

*  Explic.  de  Touvrage  de  fix  Jours. 
f  Lecu\ve.ahoek,  Ep.  Phyf.  ao. 

Rces^ 


232        DIALOGUE    XIII. 

Roes,  and  fmall  Fry,  in  fuch  an  extraordinary  Abundance,' 
that  I  am  no  longer  in  pain  for  the  Accommodations  of 
the  Table.  The  Inhabitants  of  the  Water  have  a  fare  Al- 
lowance ;  but  their  Food  conceals  itfelf,  and  flies  from 
them ;  and  I  difcover  nothing  in  Fifhes,  befides  a  Head,  ^ 
a  large  immoveable  Body,  and  a  Tail.  How  are  they 
able,  with  fo  few  Organs,  to  advance,  fwim,  and  launch 
on  their  Prey?  There  is  likewife  another  Circuml^ance^ 
in  which  I  am  entirely  loft.  Before  I  threw  my  laft  Carp 
into  the  Water,  I  took  a  Pair  of  Sciifars  and  cut  his  Fins,^ 
upon  which  1  imagined  he  would  be  uncapable  of  fwim- 
ming  any  more ;  and  yet  the  Fifh  fhot  away,  and  darted' 
np  and -down  ;  but  was  always  turned,  either  on  one  of  his 
Sides,  or  with  his  Back  downwards,  whereas  all  the  others- 
fwim  on  their  Belly. 

Countefs.  The  poor  Chevalier  v/\\\  have  no  Sleep  to-night, 
if  thefe  Difficulties  be  not  cleared  up. 

Count.  I  fhali  let  you  know,  my  dear  Cheimlievy  in  what 
mannei*  I  conceive  all  thefe  Operations  pradicable.     The 

Figm*e  of  all  kinds  of  Fifh,  as  it  perpetually 
TheFigure  of  tapers  a  little  at  the .  Head,  qualifies  them 
a  FiOi.  for  traverfmg  a  Fluid.     The  Tail,    by  the 

Afliflance  of  its  Mufcles,  is  extremely  flexi- 
The  TaiJ.  ble,  it  is  furnifhed  with  great  Strength  and" 

Agility,  inclines  to  the  Right  and  Left,  and,' 
as  it  recovers  itfelf  into  a  flrait  Line,  repels  the  Water  be-' 
hind  it;  after  which  it  immediately  bends  to  the  Right 
and  Left,  and,  by  this  alternate  Impulfe,  advances  the^ 
Head  and  all  the  reft  of  the  Body,  in  an  infinitely  better' 
manner  than  that  by  which  a  progreftive  Motion  is  com-' 
municated  to  a  Boat,  by  an  Oar  placed  at  the  Stern, 
and  work'd  about  alternately  to  the  Right  and  Left.     The 

Fin?,  which  are  inferted  under  the  Belly  of 
The  Fiiis.  the  Fiih,  contribute   likewife,   in  Tome  De-' 

gree,-  to  repel  the  Water,  and  put  the  Body 
iti  Motion;  they  alfo  caufe  it  to  ftop,  when  they  are  ex- 
tended by  the  Creature,  and  ceafe  to  play  to  and  fro;  but- 
their  chief  Fu'iifflion  is  to  regulate  the  Motions  of  the  Bo- 
dy, by  poifmg  it  in  an  Equilibrium,  fo  that  if  the  Fifh  on- 
ly moves  the  Fins  on  her  right  Side,  and  brmgs  thofe  on  her 
left  clofe  to  her  Body,  all  the  -Motion  is  immediately  de- 
termined to  the  left  :  Juft  as  a  Boat  with  two  Oars,  ymtn 

only 


0/  F  I  S  H  E  S.  23  j 

ily  one  of  them  is  employ'd,  will  always  turn  to  the 
de  to  which  it  is  impelled  by  the  other.  Deprive  the 
(h  of  thefe  Fins,  the  Back,  which  is  heavier  than  the 
;lly,  being  no  longer  kept  in  a  due  Poife,  will  flant  on 
le  Side,  or  be  quke  inverted  ;  and.  this  happens  to  dead 
fh,  who  rife  to  the"  Surface  of  the  Water  with  their 
ns  uppermoft. 

Chevalier.  I  fancy,  my  Lord,  I  Comprehend  a  little, 
)W  the  Tail  of  a  Fifh,.  in  a  diredl  Fofition  in  the  Water^ 
capable  of  flriking  en  one  Side  and  the  other  ;  this  is 
fficient  to  give  the  Body  a  progreiTive  Motion.  But  thia 
ail,  which  has  very  little  Thicknefs,  can  neither  impel 
e  Water  upward  or  downward  :  And  therefore  I  cannot 
e  how  the  Fifh  is  able  either  to  mount  or  defcend. 
Count.  I  expeded  that  Queilion,  and  have  an  Anfwer 
•epared  in  this  Paper.  Do  you  know,  Sir,  what  I  now 
ew  you  ? 

Che'valier,  Tis  the  Bladder  of  a  Carp.     Who  has  not 
mp*d  upon  it  once  in  his  Life  ? 
Count.  The  Generality  of  Fifties  have  one 
ce  this,  or  fomething  equivalent.     We  fee     The  B^g  of 
every  Day,  but  give  it  a  very  equivocal     Air. 
ame ;  and  indeed  the  Ufe  of  it  is  very  dif- 
rent  from  what  is  commonly  imagined  *.     This  pretend- 
l  Bladder  is  a  Bag  of  Air,  which  enables  the  Fifti  to  rife 
id   fmk,    in  proportion    to   its    being   dilated    or  con- 
afted. 

Nothing  is  eafier  to  be  comprehended,  and  a  little  At^ 
ntion  will  make  you  Matter  of  the  Fad.  In  the  firft 
lace,  lay  it  down  as  a  certain  Principle,  equally  agreeable 
>  good  Senfe  and  Experience  f ,  that  a  Body  fwims  on  the 
t'^'ater,  when  it  is  not  more  weighty  than  that  Quantity  of 
le  Fluid  whofe  Place  it  pofTefles.  U  a  Board,  whofe  fquare 
arface  contains  two  Feet,  and  its  Thicknefs  as  many  Inches, 
equal  in  Gravity  to  a  Body  of  Water  of  the  fame  Di- 
lenfions,  it  fwims  on  the  Superficies ;,  and  if  it  be  but  half 
s  heavy,  no  more  than  half  its  Thicknefs  will  fmk  into 
le  Water  :  But  iliculd  this  Flank  be  more,  compad  and 

*  Brrelli  de  Motu  Animal. 

t^  Yraofacl;.  Phil,  n.^  114,  1x5. 

weight)^ 


434       DIALOGUE    XIII.  I 

V^'eighty  than  a  Mais  of  Water  of  the  fame  Depth  and  i 
Surface,  it  will  defcend  to  the  Bottom.  | 

Jn  the  fecond  Place,  the  lefs  Air  a  Body  contains,  andij 
the  more  compaft  it  is  in  its  Parts,  the  greater  is  the  Gra- 
vity it   acquires  ;    on  the  other  hand,    it  proves  lighter,.! 
in  ^proportion  to  the  greater  Multitude  of  its  Pores,  and 
the  larger  Quantity  of  Air  it  contains.     A  Bottle  filled  with 
Liquor  finks   in  tiie  Water,   becaufe  the  Liquor  and  the 
Bottle  together  w^eigh  more  than  a  Mafs  of  Water  of  the 
fame  Bulk;    but  the  fame  Bottle,  filled  with  Air,  floats 
on  the  Surface,  becaufe  both  the  Air  and  the  Bottle  haveij 
lefs  Gravity  than  the  Portion  of  Water  whofe  Place  theyj 
pofiefs.     In  a  Word,  all  Bodies  fink  in  the  Water,  wheni 
they  are  not  in  an  Equilibrium  with  the  fame  Dimenfionsf 
of  the  Fluid  in  which  they  are  immerfed.  | 

Taking  this  for  granted,  the  Body  of  a  Fifh,  which  S; 
heavier  than  the  Quantity  of  Water  whofe  Place  it  fi]l»,v 
muft  always  defcend  to  the  Bottom  ;  and  this  would  be  ] 
the  unavoidable  Confequence,  if  the  Fifh  had  not  in  his! 
Entrails  a  Veffel  filled  with  Air,  which  enables  him  to 
fuftain  himfelf  in  what  Part  of  the  Water  he  pleafes  :  This 
VefTel  fwells  the  Fifh  a  little,  and  enlarges  his  natural 
Dimenfions,  without  making  any  Addition  to  his  Weight: | 
which  is  a  Circum fiance  that  deferves  a  particular  Confi- 
deration ;  for,  by  thefe  means,  he  takes  up  more  Space 
than  he  could  pofTibly  fill  without  the  VefTel,  and  thi* 
brings  him  to  an  Equilibrium  with  the  Mafs  of  Watery 
whofe  Place  he  occupies.  I  will  make  a  Suppofition,  that 
the  Fifh,  without  this  VeflTel,  weighs  fixteen  Ounces,  and 
that  the  Water,  whofe  Place  he  fills,  weighs  no  more 
than  fifteerj;  the  Fifh  mufl  in  this  cafe  infalUbly  fink.  But 
if  you  then  place  in  the  Fifh  a  little  Bag  of  Air,  which 
makes  no  Addition  to  the  Animal's  Weight,  but  only  en- 
larges its  Body  ;  this  will  then  pofTefs  more  Space.  If  the 
Water  then,  whofe  Place  he  takes  up,  fhould  weigh  fix- 
teen Ounces,  the  Creature  is  in  an  Equilibrium  with  this 
C^antity  of  the  Fluid,  and  will  then  be  fullained  in  any 
Part  of  the  River  where  he  happens  to  find  himfelf. 

Chevalier.  Hitherto  all  goes  very  well.     The  Fifh  is  in 

a  Capacity  for  fwimming,  and  can  advance  in  one  and  the 

fame  Line.     But  your  Lordfhip  does  not  inform  me,    by 

what  means  he  rifes  and  finks. 

Count* 


0/  F  I  S  H  E  S.  235 

Count,  Were  he  capable  of  enlarging  his  VelTel  or  Bag, 
/hat  would  be  the  Confequence  ?  Take  a  little  Time  to 
pnlider  that  Circumilance. 

Che'valier,  Could  he  enlarge  the  Bag,  his  own  Body 
f^ould  be  larger,  without  any  additional  Weight,  I  com- 
lehend  that,  my  Lord.  As  he  pofTefTes  the  Place  of  a 
reater  Mafs  of  Water  than  he  did  before,  he  mull  certain- 
f  be  lighter  than  that  Water. 

Count.  You  have  not  faid  all.  If  he  becomes  more 
ight,  he  will  aicend.  And,  on  the  contrary,  if  the  Fiih 
ontradls  the  Bag,  what  will  he  the  Confequence  then  ? 

Chevalier,  He  will  diminifh  in  Bulk,  and  fill  up  lefs 
pace,  without  lofmg  any  Degree  of  his  Weight ;  by  which 
leans  he  muft  be  heavier  than  the  Water  whofe  Place  he 
ikes  up,  and  will  confequently  defcend.  But  it  feems 
nprobable,  my  Lord,  that  a  Fifh  fhould  be  able,  every 
loment,  to  contrad  and  dilate  this  Bag,  according  as  he 
as  Occalion  to  rife  or  fmk. 

Count,  This,  however,  he  is  obliged  to  do  ^  and  'tis  a 
a<^  that  has  been  demonftrated  by  unexceptionable  01> 
?rvations. 

Chevalier,  How  is  it  poflible  for  the  Filh  to  have  the 
kir  at  his  Command  in  the  Water  ? 

Count,  The  Water  abounds  with  Particles  of  Air  diffufed 
iro*  the  whole  Mafs.  *  What  we  commonly  call  the 
rills  of  a  Fiih,,  arc  no  more  than  a  kind  of  Lungs,  which 
B  opens  for  the  Reception  of  Air,  and  which  have  fuch 

Mechanifm  in  their  Structure,  that  this  Element  is  ad- 
litted  without  any  Intermixture  of  Water.  Thro'  thefe 
affages  the  Air  evidently  flows  into  the  Bag,  and  then  the 
ifh  afcends  :  But,  in  order  to  fink,  it  is  only  neceflary 
>r  him  to  contradl  the  Bag ;  the  Air  then  rifes  to  the  Gills, 
id  is  ejedled,  and  the  Filh  defcends  with  a  Rapidity  pro- 
ortionable  to  the  Quantity  of  evacuated  Air.     However,. 

mull  be  acknowledged,  that  if  feveral  Fads  demon- 
rate  that  Fifh  can  breathe,  and  receive,  as  well  as  ejedl, 
>me  Bubbles  of  Air  ;  yet  the  Conveyance  of  this  Air  into 
le  Bag  is  not  a  very  eafy  Operation,  or  capable  of  being 
nmediately  accompliihed  ^  I  Ihould  therefore  be  of  Opi-^ 
ion,  that  the  Mufcles  of  the  Fiih  are  his  ufual  Expedients 

*  Hiil.  de  TAc^.  des  Scienc*  17x10 

foJ^ 


236        DIALOGUE   Xin. 

for  contraaing  or  enlarging  the  Bag ;  when  he  expands 
them,  the  Air  is  dilated  by  its  natural  Spring,  and  the  Bag 
fwells ;  when  he  contrads  them^  the  Air  is  comprefTed,  and 
the  Bag  (hrinks. 

Che^^alier,  What  his  Lordlhip  has  related  feems  to  me 
very  curioas,  and  1  am  perfuaded  is  all  juftified  by  Ex- 
perience. 1  defign  to  be  convinced  of  the  Fadl  by  an  Ex- 
periment of  my  own,  and  (ball  order  the  Cook  to  prick 
the  Bladder  of  one  of  my  Carps,  to  let  out  the  Air;  the 
Filh  will  not  die  immediately,  and  I  Hiall  fee  if  he  will 
fink  to  the  Bottom. 

Count,  You  will  do  very  well.     I  love  young  People  who 
are  early  in  making  Experiments  andRefledions ;  by  thefe 
means  they  form  and  cultivate  their  Judgment,  and  nothing 
is  more  fure  and  important  in  philofophic  Enquiries,  than 
feeing  with  your  own  Eyes.     But  as  to  your  intended  Ex- 
periment, I  have  formerly  made  it  myfelf    You  have  fecn, 
in  my  Clofet,  a  Machine  called  an  Air-pump,  and  vvhick^ 
extrads  the  Air  out  of  a  Cryftal,  or  any  other  Veffel  that 
covers  it.     I  one  Day  clapped  in  a  living  Carp,  and  when 
the  Air  was  pumped  out  of  the  VefTel,  I  prefently  imagin- 
ed, that  the  other  Air,  which  remained  ia  the  Bag  of  the 
Fiai^  would  be  dilated,  becaufe  that  Element  is  perpetually, 
making  EiForts  for  its  Enlargment,   and  there  was  then  no 
external  Air  to   gravitate   on  the  Carp.     The  Affair  fuc-? 
ceed^d  to  my  Expedation ;  the  Air,   expanding  itfelf  in ' 
the  Bladder,  fwelled  the  Filh  to  fuch  a  Degree,   that  his. 
Eyes  ftarted  out  of  his  Head,  and  the  Bladder  at  laft  burfl  - 
in  his  Body:  The  Carp  did  not  die,  and   I  threw  him  im-* 
mediately  into  the  Water,- where  he  continued  to  live  a 
Month  longer. 

Chevalier.  But  he  could  net- rife  any  more  in  the  V/ater.  ■ 
Coufit.  Very  true;   and  therefore  he  crawled  along  the^ 
Bottom  of  the  Pond  like  a  Serpent  *.  1 

Countefs.  This  Bag  of  Air  really  produces  furprifmg  Ef-.' 
f^as.     But  your  Fifh  muft  certainly  be  great  Philofophers, 
to  know  the'juft  Degree  to  which  they  ought  to  fvvell  and 
contradl  themfelves,  in  proportion  to  their  intended  Eleva- 
tion or  Defcent,  and  to  be  able  properly  to  open  or  clofe  the; 

*»BprelIi.  ibid.  Pro^of.  29.     Lowthorp's  Abridg.  Vol.  11.  p.  845. 

Air- 


Of  F  I  S  H  E  S.  237 

Air-vent,    as  well  as  extend  their  Mufcles,  fuitable  to  any- 
particular  Degree  of  Afcenfion  in  the  Water. 

Count,  Our  Reafoning  muft  fubmit  to  Experience.  But 
this  Difficulty  is  fufficiently  folved,  by  confidering,  that 
the  Filh  perform  all  thefe  Operations  without  any  Confci- 
oufnefs  of  what  they  do  ;  and  the  Exadnefs  of  their  Execu- 
tion, inftead  of  difcovering  any  Knowledge  or  Attention  of 
the  Animal  in  whom  they  are  tranfaded,  only  manifefts 
the  unfearchable  Wifdom  of  the  Almighty  Creator  of  all 
Things. 

Prior,  With  refped  even  to  ourfelves,  whom  God  has 
endued  with  Reafon  for  the  Regulation  of  our  Adions, 
ivhat  a  Number  of  Fundions  are  carried  on  without  our 
Participation  ?  We  breathe,  without  knowing  either  the 
Strudure  or  Ufe  of  the  Lungs ;  and  how  many  People  are 
even  ignorant  they  have  any  Lungs  at  all  ? 

Count.  We  leap,  we  dance,  and  throw  ourfelves  into  a 
Variety  of  Geflures,  without  knowing  either  the  Nerves 
^ve  ought  to  extend,  or  the  Mufcles  neceffary  to  be  fwelled 
3r  relaxed,  in  order  to  accomplifh  fuch  Motions. 

Countefs,  I  am  not  fond  of  Difputations,  for  I  think 
they  give  one  a  difagreeable  Charader ;  but  let  me  defire 
yo\x.  Gentlemen,  to  explain  to  me  one  thing  that  feems 
tnconfiflent  with  what  you  have  advanced.  1  may  fpeak 
[>f  what  occurs  to  me  every  Day.  Have  we  ever  dif- 
covered  any  Bag  like  this  in  Lobfters,  who  live  in  the 
Water?  Is  any  Thing  of  this  Nature  to  be  feen  m  Crabs 
and  Tortoifes,  who  expatiate  in  that  Element  in  full  Li- 
berty ?  I  am  likewife  of  Qpinion,  that  it  is  not  pofTible 
to  make  this  Difcovery  either  in  Soles  or  Plaice,  or  any 
other  fiat  FiOi. 

Count.  We  need  not  look  for  fuch  a  Bag  in  thefe  Crea- 
tures, they  have  it  not,  and  indeed  it  is  altogether  un- 
neceflary*.  River  Crayfiih,  Oyfters,  Lobflers,  and  Crabs, 
pever  quit  the  Bottom  of  the  Water,  any  more  than 
Soles,  and  flat  Fifh;  however,  as  the  Weight  of  their 
Body  is  almoft  in  an  Equilibrium  with  that  of  a  Mafs  of 
Water  of  the  fame  Magnitude,  they  are  capable  of 
fwimming  a  little,  but  without  the  Inflrumentality  of  an 
Air-bag.     The  Fad  is  much  the  fame  with  refped  to 

*  Lowthorp's  Abridgment.  Vol.11.  p«  84.5. 

the 


138        DIALOGUE  XIII. 

the  Tortoife,  for  as  (he  enjoys  the  Benefit  of  Lungs,  (he 
can  dillend  herfelf  by  an  Influx  of  Air,  and  be  brought 
to  an  Equilibrium  with  the  Water,  like  a  Frog.  She  is 
alfo  enabled  to  fwim,  like  all  other  Amphibious  Animals, 
by  the  Impulfe  and  Retraftion  of  her  Paws ;  though  for 
the  Generality,  ihe  contents  herfelf  with  creeping. 

Chevalier,  I  have  indeed  taken  Notice,  that  the  Crea- 
tures of  this  Species,  who  are  here  in  the  Bafon  where 
I  have  lodged  my  Fifh,  never  fwim,  but  crawl  on  the 
Earth,  in  the  Water  as  well  as  out  of  that  Element.  One 
may  fee  them  afcend  from  the  Bottom,  by  the  Aid 
of  a  Plank,  and  then  take  a  Circuit  on  the  green  Turf 
that  furrounds  the  Bafon  j  after  which  they  make  a  flow 
Return  into  the  Water.  This  is  an  Amphibious  Animal, 
of  a  different  Structure  from  the  reft.  I  wifh  his  Lord- 
fhip  v/ould  juil  acquaint  us  with  the  feveral  Species  of 
this  Creature,  that  are  of  any  fmgular  Ufe  to  us.  For 
Inftance,  are  the  Tortoifes  in  the  Bafon,  the  fame  with 
thofe  whofe  Shells  are  ufcd  for  Snuff-boxes  and  other  Toys  ? 

Count.  They  may  lerve  for  fuch  Purpofes,  but  the  Tor- 
toifes you  fee  here  are  fmall  and  very  common.  There 
are  four  or  five  Species  of  thefe  Creatures,  the  moft 
valuable  of  which  are  the  *  turtle  and  the 
The  Turtle.  f  Carret,  as  they  are  called :  The  former 
of  thefe  has  not  a  very  extraordinary  Shell, 
but  its  Flelh  and  Eggs  are  very  much  coveted  by  Naviga- 
tors, who  find  them  an  excellent  Refrefhment,  as  well 
as  an  infallible  Cure  for  feveral  Indifpofitions  in  long 
Voyages.  A  fmgle  Tortoife  of  this  Species  may  produce 
two  hundred  Pounds  of  Flefh,  which  the  Sailors  take 
care  to  fait,  and  ne  r  three  hundred  Eggs,  which  are 
very  large,  and  will  keep  for  a  confiderable  Time. 

The  4.  Carret  is  a  very  large  Tortoife, 
The  Carret.  as  well  as  the  other  ;  his  Flelh  indeed  is  not 
fo  delicate,  but  he  is  much  fought  after  for 
the  Beauty  of  his  Shell,  which  is  falhioned  as  the  Work- 
man pleafes,  by  foftening  it  in  warm  Water,  after  which 
it  is  clapped  into  a  Mould,  whofe  Impreflion  it  immedi* 
ately  receives,   by  the  Affiftance  of  a  ftrong  iron  Prefs ) 

*  Rondellet,  lib.  i.  c.  10. 

t  Didion.  Savari.  4-  ^^^^»  ^ 

^  they 


0/  F  I  S  H  E  S.  239 

feliey  afterwards  poHfh  and  adorn  It  with  Chafings  of  Gold 
ind  other  Embellifhments. 

Che'valier,  Before  we  quite  the  Article  of  Tortoifes  and 
Lobflers,  I  would  fain  know  in  what  manner  they  live ; 
or  if  they  don't  fwim  I  ihould  imagine  their  Prey  might 
jafily  efcape  them. 

Count,  Lobilers  and  Crabs  are  fumifhed  with  a  Couple 
)f  flrong  Claws,    with  which  they   fatten  on  the  larger 
^rey,  that  inconfiderately  happens  to  be  near  them.   They 
earch  the  Beds  of  Slime  and  Gravel  for  Worms,    who 
here  make  their  Retreat ;  they  draw  them  out  of  their 
^gments  with  their  little  Pincers,    and  find  a   Colla- 
lon  ready  prepared.     As  for  the  Tortoife,  fhe  feeds  on 
jrafs  and  Weeds,  in  the  Water  as  well  as  on  the  Land. 
;he  makes  her  ufual  Refidence,  and  finds  her  Aliment  in 
ertam  Meadows,  at  the  Bottom  of  the  vSea,  near  feveral 
►f  the  American  Iflands.     The  Water  is  not  many  Fa- 
homs  deep  in  fome  of  thofe  Parts;  and  according  to  the 
Relation  of  *  Navigators,  when  the  Sea  is  calm,  and  the 
Veather  ferene,    the  Tortoifes  are  feen  creeping  on  this 
;reen  Carpet,  at  the  Bottom  of  the  Sea.     After  they  have 
ed  fufiiciently,    they  take  their    Progrefs  into  the  Out- 
5ts  of  Rivers  for  frelh  Water;  there  they  take  in  a  re- 
refhing  Air,  and  then  return  to  their  former  Station.     In 
lie  IntermiiTion  of  their  Feeding,  they  generally  float  with 
beir  Heads  above  the  Surface  of  the  Water,  unlejs  they 
re  alarmed  by  the  Motions  of  any  Hunters,  or  Bird  of 
i-ey,  in  which  Cafe  they  fuddenly  plunge  to  the  Bottom, 
^hey  make  yearly  Vifits  to  the  Shore,  where  they  lay  their 
^ggs  in  Cavities  in  the  Sand,  a  little  above  the  Edge  v//here 
lie  Surges  beat,    and  cover  them  very  lightly,  that  the 
un   may  communicate  to  them  a  gentle  Warmth,   and 
atch  their  Young  J  whilfl  they  are  making  Preparations 
)r  their  Family,  they  furnifhMankind  and  Birds  with  a  very 
lentiful  Provifion;  for  they  lay  their  Eggs  thrice,  at  the 
ixpiration  of  every  fifteen  Days,    s.nd  generally  produce 
>urfcore  or  ninety,  or  even  more,  at  each  Fecundation. 
^  At  the  Conclufion  of  about  twenty-five  Days,  the  young 
brtoifes  are  feen  to  rife  out  of  the  Sand,  'and,  without 
tiy  Guide  or  Inftruftions,  march  with  a  gentle  Face  to 

*  Hiftory  of  the  Buccaneers, 

the 


S40      D  I  A  L  O  G  U  E    XIIL 

the  Water,  but  the  Waves  unfortunately  throw  them  back 
on  the  Shore  for  the  firft  few  Days  and  then  the  Birds 
dart  upon  them,  and  carry  off  the  Generality,  before  they 
have  fufficient  Strength  to  make  proper  Efforts  againft 
the  Surges,  and  dive  to  the  Bottom.  So  that  out  of 
three  hundred  Eggs,  it  is  but  feldom  that  more  than  tea 
efcape,  and  fometimes  they  are  all  deilroyed. 

Comtefs.  It  Ihould  feem,  at  the  firft  View,  that  Na- 
ture, in  this  Inllance,  charges  herielf  with  an  unneceffary 
Expence,  or  is  even  imperfed  in  her  Operations.  But 
the  Falfhood  and  Injuftice  of  fuch  an  Opinion  is  imme- 
diately evident.  We  never  find  ourfelves  difpofed  to  com- 
plain of  the  Fertility  of  the  Hen,  who  frequently  prefents 
us  with  three  hundred  Eggs  in  a  Year,  when  not  ona  | 
Chicken  is  permitted  to  be  hatched.  We  are  very  fen- 
fible  that  the  Intention  of  the  Author  of  Nature,  m 
this  'admirable  Proliiicnefs,  is  to  facilitate  the  Frefervation 
of  the  Species,  and,  at  the  fame  Time,  to  accommodate 
Man  and  other  Animals  with  an  excellent  Food  :  So  that 
nothing  in  the  Works  of  Nature  is  either  loft  or  defedive ;  and 
particular  Advantages  are  derived  even  from  the  Slownefs 
of  a  Tortoife's  Motions ;  for  were  Ihe  more  expeditious, 
what  a  Number  of  Animals  would  be  fruflrated  of  their: 

Food?  ,      .  • 

Prior.  Let  us  proceed  in  our  Exammation  ot  the  va- 
rious Benefits  we  receive  from  the  different  Species  of  Fifh,*  j 
and  we  ihall  difcover,  thro'  the  Whole,  new  Motives  tO; 
adore  him    who   has  repleniflied  the  Water,   as  well  as 
the  Earth  and  Air,  with  all  Sorts  of  Bleffings. 

Count.  Thofe  very  FiOi  who  are  difagreeable   to   our 
Palate,  are  neverthelefs  not  unprofitable  to  Man.   We  have; 
already  obferved,  that  Northern  Fifh,   whofe  oily  Taftc 
h  offenfive   to   us,    afford  a  Suftenance  to  other  People, 
wliofe  Neceffities  they  can  better  accommodate.     The  very: 
Fins,  the  Scale?,    and  moft  inconfiderable  Parts  of  thefe 
Animals,    are  extremely   ferviceable  to    feveral   Nations,. 
There  is  one   Species  of  Filh,    whofe  Fins   are  fo   veryi 
flrong,    that   the  Inhabitants  of   Greenland  ufe  them   for 
feeing  the  Skins  of  Bears,  which  furnifh  them  with  their 
Drefs,  and  which  they  tack  together  with    Strings  made 
of  the  dried  Entrails,  which  ferve  their  Purpofe  mflead  of 

Thread.  ^, 

Th$ 


0/FISHES.  2^, 

The  fame  People  build  the  Hulls  of  their  VelTels  with 
le  Bones  of  Whales,  and  afterwards  line  them  with  the 
kins  of  Sea-Calves,  or  Whales  themfelves.  A  Man  fmks 
ilf  his  Body  into  the  Hollow  of  one  of  thefe  Boats,  and 
ts  with  his  Feet  extended  at  the  Bottom,  and  the  Extre- 
lity  of  his  Coat  of  Skins  perfeaiy  covers  the  round  open- 
g  in  which  his  Body  is  fixed.  The  Greenlanders,  with 
eir  left  Hand,  work  a  little  Oar,  or  Paddle,  ending  with 
double  Blade,  and  arm  their  right  with  a  Harping-iron  ; 
id  with  this  Equipage  fwim  very  lightly  on  the  Water, 
■aving  the  Tempcfts,  and  affaulting  the  Whales  and  Pur! 
•ifes  that  afford  them  their  Subfiftence.  Thefe  Boats  ar^ 
ore  ferviceable,  fafe,  and  expeditious  than  our  own. 
Che'valUr,  For  what  Reafon  then  do  We  make  no  ufe  of 
em? 

Countefs,  Would  you  have  It  faid,  that  the  Europeans 
I  inftruaed  in  any  Particulars  by  the  Inhabitants  of 
-eenland^  You  know  we  have  ail  the  Knowledge  to  our- 
ves.  ** 

^'^^^'  ^^^"^^  ^^  ^  ^'^  ^'"  ^^  Northern  Seas,  from  which 
'  ^^fco^iies  extraft  a  Glew  that  is  extreme- 
beneficial;    it  clarifies  our  Wines  without    The  Glew  ot 
5  leaft  Diminution  of  their  Goodnefs,  and    Filh. 
i^er  communicates  to  them  any  Quality  of 
own  .  Our  Manufadurers  ufe  it  to  flrengthen  and  polifh 
J  Warp  of  their  Works ;  and  it  is  frequently  employed 
:ft  Succefs,  where  even  flrong  Glew  will  not  Itick. 

The  Danes  and  other  Northern  People  catch  a  VQvy  large 
h  called  a  Walruis  or  Nawaly  whofe  Teeth 
more  efleemed  than  thofe  of  the  Elephant,    The  Walruis, 
:aufe  they  are  an  Ivory  of  the  purefl  White- 
s,  and  not  fubjedl  to  grow  yellow.     The  left  Jaw  of  this 
mature  is  armed  with   an  Ivory  Horn,  extending  fome- 
les  to  a  Length  of  fourteen,   fifteen  and  fixteen  Feet  : 
eie  Horns  are  to  be  met  with  in  the  Cabinets  of  the  Cu- 
us,  and  have  been  thought  to  belong  to  the  Unicorn  f , 

•  The  Unicorn   is  an  Animal  very  different  from  the  commoQ 

» of  him.    See  Bochart's  Hierozoic, 

^^  n.  M  Wh(> 


242        DIALOGUE  XIII.  | 

who  is  an  Animal  intirely  chimerical,  or  at  leaft  undifcov£r- 
ed  by  the  Moderns,  whatever  Knowledge  of  him  might  be 
among  the  Antients. 

But  of  all  the  Species  of  PiOi,  who  are  never  brought  to: 
our  Tables,  the  Whale  is  undoubtedly  the  moft  beneficial : 
It  is  an  Animal  of  a  ftupendous  Size,  an  hundred  and  thir- 
ty an  hundred  and  fixty,  and  fometimes  two  hundred  Feet 
in  Length,  and  extremely  proEtable  to  thofe  who  engage* 
in  that  Fiftiery. 

Chenjalier.  How  is  it  poffible  to  conquer  fuch  a  pionftrons 
Creature?  He  mull  certainly  rend  and  deftroy  whatever: 
comes  in  his  way. 

Trior.  The  Fifhery  is  exceedingly  curious    and  I  willl 

oive  you  the  Defcription  of  it  in  a  few  Words.     This 

Creature  is  found  in  the  moft  Northern  Parts  of  Europe^ 

which  are  reforted  to  by  a  great  number  of  Veffels,  appro.: 

priated  to  that  kind  of  Capture.     When  a  Whale  makes 

his  Appearance  on  the  Water,  the  moft  vigorous  and  bold 

Fiftierman  takes  a  Harping  iron,    which  is  a  Javelin  weU 

neel'd  at  one  Extremity,  and  five  or  fix  Feet  jo"g;  ^nd    fl 

which  is  fattened  a  Line  of  above  an  hundred  Fathoms  m 

Length.     When  once  this  Inftrument  has  been  darted  intc 

the  Fat  and  Flelh  of  the  Whale,  the  Affair  is  all  over,  an* 

the  large  Animal  plunges  to  the  Bottom,  and  the  Harpo) 

niers  let  the  Line  lun  out  very  quick.     When  they  hav. 

not  a  fufficient  Quantity,  to  enable  them  to  purfue  the  Fift 

in  its  Career,  they  faften  to  the  End  of  the  Line  a  Gourd 

hollowed  within,  and  well  clofed  up,  and  careful  y  obfetv* 

its  Motion,  that  they  may  find  the  End  of  the  Line    a^ 

know  where  the  Whale  conceals  himfelf.     The  Creaturei 

after  lofing  his  Blood,  fometimes  rifes  to  the  Surface  of  thj 

Water,  oFelfe  they  drag  him  up  with  the  Cord  ;  they  thej 

endeavour  to  get  him  into  their  Poffeffion,  draw  him  to  tW 

Shore,  and  cut  him  in  Pieces. 

Che'valier.  If  the  Flefti  be  not  eaten,  to  what  other  Utj 
is  it  applied  ?  | 

Prior.  The  Fat  of  a  fmall  Whale,  about  fixty  or  feve^j 


0/  F  I  S  H  E  S.  243 

et  long,  fometimes  produces  an  hundred  Cafks  of  Oil ; 
d  a  Whale  of  two  hundred  Feet  in  length,  genecall/  yields 
teen  or  twenty  Tons. 

Chevalier^  What  may  this  Oil  be  good  for? 

Prior,  It  furnilhes  a  very  confiderable  Trade:  They  ufe 
n  dreffing  certain  Skins,  and  it  thickens  the  Pitch,  with 
ich  they  kalk  Ships ;    they  likewife  drefs  Wool   with 

and  it  proves  a  neceiTary  Ingredient  in  Soap  :  It  is  even 
ployed  in  Painting  and  Phyfick :  But  it  is  more  efpeci- 
r  of  infinite  Ufe  in  the  North,  where  it  furnifhes  a  fm-- 

Light,  in  the  long  and  difmal  Darknefs  of  thofe  Re- 
ns. 

Zountefs,  Do  thefe  great  Flihes  fupply  us  with  the 
lalebone  which  we  purchafe  of  the  Merchant  ? 

Zount,  The  Name  of  Whale  is  given  to  two  forts  '^of 
i;  one  is  fmall,  furnifhed  with  Teeth,  and  his  Brain 
duces  that  white  Subitance  called  Sferma  Cett,  fo  much 
emed  by  the  Ladies.  The  other  is  the  large  Whale, 
3  is  deftitute  of  Teeth,  but  then  he  is  fupplied  with  two 
;e  Tuflies,  a  dozen  or  fifteen  Feet  long,  which  rife  out 
lis  Jaws,  and  conveniently  enable  him  to  amafs  together 
Weeds,  which  are  generally  fuppofed  to  be  his  Food, 
lufe  Quantities  of  them  have  been  found  in  his  Stomach. 
;fe  Tufhes,  fplit  into  fmall  Divifions,  are  the  pretended 
alebone,  or  that  ftrong  and  pliant  Subftance  we  buy  of 
Merchant  under  that  Name ;  and  whofe  prefent  Ufeful- 

feems  almoft  confined  to  the  Hoop-petticoat ;  a  Mode 
>efs  altogether  fenfelefs  and  unamiable,  but  which  the 
ies  have  taken  a  Refolution  to  continue,  becaufe  they 
k  it  gives  them  lefs  Conllraint  than  the  Drefs  they  have 

difufed. 

Quntejs,  What  does  your  Lordfhip  mean  ?  In  Matters 
i/Iode,  the  weakeft  Heads  prefcribe  Rules  to  the  wifeft. 
let  us  not  wander  from  our  Subjeci:.  Thefe  great 
lies  put  me  in  mind  of  an  amphibious  Animal  above 
undred  Feet  long,  and  with  whofe  Defcription  you  en- 
ined  u§  the  other  Day. 

M  2  Count. 


244        DIALOGUE  Xlir.  | 

Count.  You  mean  the  American  Crocodile^ 
Crocodiles.  But  I  would  not  give  too  much  Credit  to  the. 
Relations  of  old  f  Spanip  Travellers,  whoi 
are  very  apt  to  enlarge  in  their  Defcriptions.  The  Croco-i 
d  le  who  lives  in  the  NiU,  the  Niger,  and  fome  ^other  Ri-, 
vers  of  Jfrka,  has  no  fuch  Lengthy  fome  of  thefe  Crea. 
tares  are  fifteen,  eighteen  and  twenty  Feet  long  but  thej^ 
very  feldom  exceed  twenty  five;  which  is  a  Length  fufficieXi 
to  give  the  Animal  a  very  monftrous.and  formidable  Appear^ 
ance. 

Chmalier.  Is  not  this  the  Animal  who  refembles  a  lar^ 
Lizard,  and  has  Jaws  armed  with  Teeth  ranged  likcthofii 
of  a  Saw,  and  a  Body  and  Tail  covered  with  large  .mpe- 
netrable  Scales,  and  who.  according  to  the  Accounts  g.veB 
of  him,  very  artfully  feizes  young  Children,  when  he  dif 
coverfthem  on  the'  Banks  of  the  River  m  which  he  lye 
concealed  ? 

Count.  The  very  fame. 

Prior.  This  Animal,  were  he  too  prolific,  would  redue 
Mankind  to  the  greateft  Defokiion.  But  God  has  prepa 
^A  for  him  a  couple  of  Enemies  who  are  always  contrivin 
his  Deftmaion:  And  thefe  are  the  Hippopotamus,  or  Se£ 
horfe,  and  the  Ichneumon. 

The  HifpopoiamuiS  is  a  very  large 
The  Kppopota-     phibious  Animal,  who  lives  at  the  Bono. 
^     ^^  ^  of  the  m  and  Niger,    from  whence  I 

rifes,  not  by  any  Effort  of  fwimming,  tt 
bv  crawling  with  his  fi)ur  Feet,  when  he  goes  to  feed  J 
thVSdoSs,  or  even  on  the  Tops  of  Mountains:  Hegr 
zesin  the  Herbage,  and  then  returns  to  his  Station  in  the  W 
S  where  he  is  in  a  perpetual  State  of  War  with  the  Crocodu, 

The  Ichneumon  is  a  Water-rat,  or  litl| 

The  ichneumon.     Ferret,   and  the  Crocodiled  ^J"^ 

Some  Travellers  affure  us,  that  he  cret^ 

+  See  the  Leviathan  of  Samuel  Bochart,  Hlerotoic.  lb.  4- 
I  See  the  Behemoth  of  Bochart,  H.eroxoic.  l.b.  .v.  e.  i;.  i*-^^ 


0/  F  I  S  H  E  S.  245 

own  that  Creature's  Throat  when  he  is  ailcep,  devours  hi> 
ntrails,  aud  kills  him  with  extreme  Pain ;  after  which ^ 
2  feeds  on  him  at  leifure.  Others  inform  us,  that  they  are 
nacquainted  with  this  Fad,  but  have  frequently  feen  the 
'hneumon  throw  himfelf  on  the  Eggs ;  left  by  the  Crocodile 
I  the  Sand,  and  which  he  deflroys  to  the  utmofl  of  his 
bility. 

Counf.  If  the  Che'valter  has  any  Curiofity  to  fee  the  Ti- 
ires  of  the  Crocodile,  the  Sea-horfe^  and  Ichneumon,  com* 
ehended  in  one  Piece  of  Sculpture,  he  muil  go  to  the 
'dllertes, 

Che<vaiier,  To  what  particular  Part,  my  Lord  ? 

Count,  Have  you  never  taken  notice  of  a  Statue  that  re^ 
efents  the  Nile^  with  fourteen  other  Figures  of  its  youn<^ 
Epring?  ^ 

Che^valier,  I  have  frequently  feen  it,  without  comprehen- 
)g  any  Part  of  the  Statuary's  Intention:  Pray,  what 
ly  be  the  Signification  of  all  this  Progeny,  and  the  Figures 
It  are  round  the  Pcdeilal  ? 

Count.  The  fourteen  Children  of  the  Nile,  fome  of  whom 
^placed  above,  and  others  below,  are  the  Symbols  of  the 
■erent  Rifings  of  that  River,  which  are  extremely  bene- 
a!  to  Egypt,  when  they  afcend  to  the  Height  of  fourteen 
bits;  and  the  Country  is  threatned  with  Famine,  when 
y  have  a  lefs  Elevation :  If  the  River  fwells  to  fifteen 
bits,   a  great  Plenty  infallibly  fucceeds  ;  but  when  it  rifes 
Fjcteen,  the  Confequence  is  intirely  diiFerent.     Fourteen 
bits  are  the  neceifary  Standard.     Under  the  Figure  of 
God  of  the  Nile,  leaning  on  his  Urn,  is  a  large  Bed  of 
ite  Marble,    round   which  you  will  fee  in  Reiie'vo  the 
jeas  peculiar  to  Egypt,  fuch  as  the  Lotus,  a  Plant  with 
ich  the  Inhabitants  make  a  kind  of  Bread,  or  broad  thin 
<es ;  the  Ibis,  a  kind  of  Stork,  who  purges  the  Country 
n  Serpents ;  and  the  Ichneumon  and  Sea  horfe,  combating 
Crocodile. 

M  3  Counte/s, 


246         DIALOGUE  XIII. 

Cou«ten.  Gentlemen,  I  have  permuted  you  this  Day  K 
difcourion  every  Subjea  you  thought  proper  ;  but  I  mtenc 
Jo  make  a  better  Ufe  of  my  Prerogative  as  Prefident  au< 
ftaU  recal  you  to  thofe  Subjefts  that  are  more  fuited  to  m; 
Capac  ty  I  proFfe  »«  '^^  Company,  for  our  next  Coi. 
ierfation  the  Ardcle  of  Plants,  with  their  Flowers  anc 
Fruits  Next  to  my  Birds,  this  is  the  Subjea  wherexn 
have  moft  Experience. 


PLANT 


[  247  I 


PLANTS. 


DIALOGUE  XIV. 


'he  Count,  and  Countess.   'The  Prior,  and 
Chevalier. 


mntefs.   /^^  HEVALIER,  we   make  you  a  Pj o- 
ficient  in   all  the  Arts  and  Trades  in  their 


r 

^^-^  Turn.  You  have  already  gone  through 
ofe  of  an  Hunter,  a  Weaver,  a  Fowler,  and  a  Fiftier  :  To 
ay  we  (hall  teach  you  to  be  a  Gardener. 
Chevalier.  Muft  we  part  with  Animals  fo  foon  :  There 
2  vaft  Numbers  of  them  who  have  never  been  the  Subje(5t 
our  Converfatlons.  His  Lordfhip,  tho'  he  has  no  great 
leem  for  the  T\it2ittQQi Ruffian  Animals,  permits  me'fome- 
nes  to  view  the  Figures  which  are  very  numerous  in  that 
ork.  I  looked  them  over  Yeflerday,  and  did  not  fee  one 
w  Animal  whofe  Name,  Refidence,  and  Profeffion,  I 
d  not  a  Curiofity  to  know.  I  fancy  it  would  be  very  enter- 
ining  to  be  acquainted  with  them  all. 
Count,  This  is  the  very  Inclination  with  which  I  was  de- 
ous  of  infpiringyou,  and  each  Animal  merits  a  particular 
)nfideration  and  Study.     The  fmgle  Trunk  of  an   Ele- 

M  4  phant 


248  DIALOGUE  XIV, 

phant  would  furniih  fufficient  Matter  for  fevcral  Conrerfa:- 
tioB^:  But  we  don't  intend  to  cxhauft  every  Subjedl,  and; 
fatigue  you  with  too  many  Particulars  ;  we  only  defire  to 
raife  in  you  an  Inclination  to  thefe  Amufements,  and  after i 
we  have  made  you  ienfible  that  much  greater  Advancementti 
are  pradlicable,  'tis  proper  to  leave  the  reft  to  your  owif 
Exam'inatioa.  i 

Counte/s.  But  do  you  imagine.  Chevalier,  that  we  turni 
the  Converfation  from  Animals,when  we  difcourfe  of  Plants  ?, 
No,  furely,  for  even  thefe  are  a  Species  of  Animals,  vvho,| 
the'  they  don't  move  from  Place  to  PIace,have  yet  their  propel'] 
Suflenance,  and  become  Founders  of  a  numerous  Pollenty^t 
aswellasthofe  who  march  up  and  down.  ^  | 

Trior.  What  her  Ladyihip  advances  in  a  Vein  of  Plea-j 
fantry  has  a  great  Air  of  Truth.  The  Root,  according  toj 
Oblervations,  fupplies  the  Plant  with  a  Stomach  for  digeiVj 
ing  the  Nourifhment ;  the  Bark  is  a  Skin  which  covers  allj 
the  VefTels,  th€  Stock  is  the  Body  of  the  Animal  ;  and  thCj 
Sapr  which  afcends  from  the  Root  to  the  Branches,,  and  then 
returns  from  the  Branches  to  the  Root,  has  a  perfea  Coiy-i 
formity  to  the  Blood  that  circulates  in  the  Bodies  of  Anin 

Count,  What  is  your  real  Opmion,  Sir,  of  this  pretend-i 
ed  Circulation  of  the  nutrimcntal  Juice  ?  Are  youperfuaded 

it  is  Faa  ?  .    .  1.     A  m 

Prior.  Every  Circumftance  feems  to  mtimate  the  Amr-i 
mativej  bur  before  we  undertake  to  difcufs  this  Point,  wel 
fhduld  do  well  to  confider  the  Origin  of  all  Plants,  and  theijj 
efTential  conlHtuent  Parts;  after  which,  we  may  proceed  tC^ 
the  Manner  of  their  Nourifhment.  ( 

Count,  I  am  willing  we  fhould  purfue  this  Methodi 
Che^alkry    do    you    recolledt    the   general  Origin  of  aU 

Plants?                      .....  1 

Che<valier,  They  rife  from  Seeds.  ' 

Count,  Do  you  believe  then  that  the  Earth  cannot  with 

its   Heats  and  Juices  form   a  Plant  at  once,  without  the 

Concurrence  of  Seed  ?  ,        ,.    ,    n  t>i  j 

Chevalier.  It  cannot  produce  the  lealt  Blade 

TbeOngm  of    of  Grafs.  I  remember  your  Lordlliip  told  me. 

PJams.  with    Relation  to  Animals,     that  the  Earth 

nouriihes  every  individual,  but  cannot  form  ar 

orga 


0/  P  L  A  N  T  S.  249 

anized  Body.  The  fame  Order  and  Defign  vifible  in 
imals  is  to  be  difcovered  in  Plants.  The  Juice  of  the 
th  may  indeed  nourifh  a  Plant,  and  that  is  the  utmoft  of 

Operation,  but  it  cannot  give  it  its  original  EX' 
ice. 

lount.  In  Reality,  if  the  Juice  of  the  Earth  could  pro* 
e  Plants,  it  muft  be  endued  with  all  the  Omnipotence  of 
Creator,  in  order  to  give  an  inftantaneous  Exiftenceta 
Roots,  the  Du6ls,  the  Fibres,  the  little  Veffels  appoint- 
or the  Reception  and  Diftribution  of  the  Sap,  the  Glands 
titrate  and  proportion  it  to  the  Delicacy  of  the  VefTeb 
I  which  they  are  admitted,  the  Vents  or  Spiracles  to  re- 
e  and  difFufe  the  Air  ;  in  a  Word,  all  the  Farts  of  a 
nt,  as  the  Bark,  the  Wood,  the  Pith,  the  Buds  of 
nches,  Flowers,  and  Fruits.  This  Juice  muft  be  gifted 
\  Intelligence  to  be  capable  of  fiKh  a  Variety  of  Ope- 
ons,  and  never  by  Miilake  to  cau'e  one  Plant  to  produce 

Gems  and  Fruits  of  another  Species. 
Ihe-ualier.  I  am  not  able  to  comprehend  how  any  one 

think  the  Earth  qualified  to  form  the  Body  of  a  Plants 
ould  as  foon  fay,  it  had  produced   Mankind,  and  evea 
Moon  and  Sun. 
lount,  I  am  exceedingly  delighted  at  your  difcovering 

NecejTity  of  reforting  to  the  Agency  of  an  Almighty 
ig.     He  indeed  is  incomprehenlible,  but  without  him< 

impoffible  for  any  Thing  to  be  intelligible.  When  hia 
Tpofition  is  once  fuppofed,  'tis  eafy  to  conceive  the  Pof- 
ity  of  producing  all  Things,  He  alone  was  capable  of 
ling  the  Matter  which  coniUtutes  all  Bodies,  and  none 

himfelf  could  extrad  out  of  this  Matter  feveral  Ele- 
cts, each  of  which  is  perpetually  the  fame,  not- 
iftandinf^  their  different  Combinations  form  an  infinite 
iety  of  Bodies.     The  Elements  may  indeed  make  mu- 

Approaches,  and  intermingle  with  each  other,  but  the 
ult  will  be  no  more  than  a  Heap  of  confufed  MaiTesj 
e  will  be  neither  Organs,  nor  Life,  nor  Soul.  Let  us 
)ore  the  Earth  to  be  newly  created,  it  will  for  ever  con-» 
e  naked  and  barren,,  if  it  be  not  arrayed  and  peopled 
:he  Deity.  He  alone  can  organize  Bodies,  and  animate 
I  organized  Specits  as  Plants  and  Animals.  The  mi- 
;fi:  Sprig  of  Sorrel  or  Cher<vil  is  formed,  like  all  the  rci^ 
:he  Creation,  by  a  particular  Plan  and  afpecial  Will. 

M  5  Ai 


250  DIALOGUE  XIV.  \ 

As  to  the  Manner  of  perpetuating  Animals  and  Tre^ 
after  their  firft  Formation,  the  Deity  might  either  deters 
mine  to  create  more,  whenever  it  ihould  be  neceflary  to  fub- 
Hicute  a  new  one  in  the  Room  of  another  that  Age  had  de- 
cayed, or  he  might  at  once  provide  for  all  Succeflions  ofj 
Ages,  by  inclofmg  in  the  Seed  of  the  firft  Tree  all  its  Pof-| 
terity  in  Miniature;  fo  that  each  Species  muil  unavoidablylj 
produce  its  own  Refemblance,  and  the  Earth  would  be  onlylj 
charged  with  a  Contribution  of  Juices  neceffary  to  nouriihi! 
and  unfold  the  Seed  ;  and  indeed  this  is  the  magnificent  Or-j 
der  he  has  been  pleafed  to  eftabliih.  The  Imagination  is 
aftonifhed  to  find  Millions  of  Seeds  involved  in  one  another  ; 
but  Reafon  teaches  us  to  receive  the  Faifl  without  Hefitation,L 
becaufethe  Great  Creator  is  omnipotent. 

Couni.  Be  upon  your  Guard,  Cbe^valier,  you  will  receive 
a  brifk  Attack  from  me.  There  are  fome  Plants,  fuch  ai. 
Mujhrooms  and  Fern^  that  don't  exhibit  any  Seed  to  oui, 
View,  and  yet  (hoot  forth  daily,  and  grow  in  different  Situ- 
ations :  God  muil  therefore  either  create  them  anew,  or  thfij 
Juices  of  the  Earth  put  into  Motion  are  qualified  for  thcj 
Produdlion  of  organized  Bodies. 

Chevalier,  I  don't  know,  my  Lord,  whether  the  Prw 
may  be  a  Prophet,  and  knew  four  Days  ago,  that  you  inj 
tended  to  embarrafs  me  with  your  Fern  i  but,  however,  ht 
furnifhed  me  with  the  Anfwer  I  (hall  now  give  you.  H( 
direded  me  to  place  my  Ear  clofe  to  a  Paper,  where  at  firf: 
I  was  not  fenfible  of  any  Noife,  but  afterwards  heard  i 
fmall  Sound  or  Crackling,  which  made  me  very  attentive 
to  difcover  the  Caufe:  And  I  then  obferved  a  Number  o: 
little  Grains,  fkipping  over  one  another,  like  Mites  in  j| 
Cheefe;  but  by  the  Aid  of  a  Mifcrope,  I  had  a  very  differ 
cnt  View,  for  thefe  Grains  were  a  Parcel  of  Shells  thaj 
contained  a  Quantity  of  Seed.  The  Dryneis  of  thefe  Shell,j 
made  them  crack,  and  the  fmall  Grains  {hot  and  difperfei, 
themfelves  up  and  down.  Thefe  were  the  very  Seeds  a. 
Fern,  and  now  your  Lordfliip  may  tell  me,  if  you  pleafe 
that  this  Plant  produces  none. 

Count.  But  you  are  fiient  as  to  the  Mvjhroom.  ■  j 

Chenjalier.  Give  me  Leave  to  tell  your  Lordihip,  thatyOfi 

are  not  eafily  fatisfied ;  were  it  true,  that  we  cannot  dif, 

cover  any  Seeds  in  a  Mufhroom,  1  would  flill    maintain  i 

does  not  want  them,  though  they  are  tco  fmall  to  be  vjfible^ 

an<| 


0/  P  L  A  N  T  S.  251 

d  fo  very  light  that  they  are  wafted  up  and  down  by  the 
Ind. 

Count.  The  Fa6l  is  undeniable,  if  in   this  Particular  we 
ay  judge  of  the  Condudl  of  the  Deity  by  that  which  he 
ver  departs  from  in  ten  thoufand  other  Inftances. 
Countefs.  Every  Plant  is  produced  by  Seed, 
bis  fs  a  Truth  familiar  to  our   Experience  ;   The  Seed, 
t  let  us  enquire  into  the  Nature  of  a  Seed, 
d  what  it  difcovers  to  our  View.     You,  Gentlemen,  who 
ve  examined  thefe  Particulars  with  your  Glafies,  can  give 
fome  Light  into  the  Affair. 
Count.  We  will  begin  with  the  external  Ap- 
jrance.     All  the  Seeds  of  Plants  have  dif-    The  Manner 
ent  Sheaths,  which   inclofe  them   till  they    *>"  whichSeeds 
I  lodged  in   the  Earth:  They  are   capable    ZlloltrL 
being  turned,  meafured,  and    heaped   up, 
thout  the  leafl  Prejudice,  becaufe  they  are  inverted  with  a 
vering  and  defended  from  Danger.    Some  of  thefe  Seeds, 
the  Kernels  of  Apples  and  Pears,  are  placed  in  the  very 
!art  of  the  Fruit,  whofe  Subflance  confequently  performs 
:  double  Fun£lion  of  enfolding  the  Seeds  whilft  they  con^ 
ae   tender,  and   nouri/hing   Mankind,  when  the   Seeds, 
their  State  of  Perfedion,    no  longer   want    a    Surtout, 
hers  grow  in    Shells,  and  of  this  Sort  are  Peas,  Beans,^ 
itils,  Poppy  Seeds,  and  Cocoa  -  Nuts  :  A  third  Sort,  be- 
J  their  Inclofure  in  the  Subflance  of  the  Fruits,  are  (hut 
in  thick  Shells  of  Wood,  and  of  this  Species  are  Wal- 
s.    Almonds,    Apricocks,    Peaches,    Plums,  and  other 
ids.    Several,  befide  their  wooden  Shell,  have  J  ike  wife  a 
er  Pvind,  which  is  the  Cafe  of  V/alnuts,  or  a  Covering 
gged  with  Prickles  to  preferve  the  Seeds  from  all  Injury, 
they  have  completed  their  Maturity;  Chefnuts  belong 
his  lafl  Clafs. 

Zhe^valier.  I  £nd  that  Fruits  of  a  moderate  Goodnefs 
e  a  Variety  of  Prefervations ;  but  in  my  Opinion,  thp 
ch  which  is  fo  excellent,  is  much  more  intituled  to  the 
tedion  of  a  ftrong  Shell ;  we  fhould  then  enjoy  it  for  a 
^erSeafon. 

V/V,  Give  me  Leave  to  tell  you,  Chevalier,  that  God 
qually  free  and  fertile  in   his  Operations  :  He  has  fur- 
led the  Generality  of  Seeds  with  a  Covering  of  Wood, 
has  not  thought  it  proper  to  afford  one  of  equal  Strength 

M   6  to 


252  DIALOGUE  XVL 

t^  the  Subftance  of  Fruits,  which  in  Reality  is  no   mor 

than  a  Covering  or  Defence  to  the  Seed :  He  has  inclofe 

fome  particular  Fruits  in  a  light  Skin,  others  in   a  foli 

Bark :  He  alone  fixes  the  Regulations,  and  is  not  fubjedl  t 

any  Reflraint.     But  though  it  be  incumbent  on  us,  only  t 

celebrate  his  Choice  of  one  Method  in  Preference  to  anothej 

we  may  be  fometimes  indulged  in  a  modeft  Attempt  to  dii 

cover   the  Reafon  of  fuch  a  Proceeding.     The  Peach  an 

Plum  are  appointed  for  our  Refrcfhment  at  the  Clofe  of  tU 

violent  Keats  ;  in  any  other  Seafon  they  would  chill  us,  c 

at  leail  be  depreciated  by  the  Variety  of  other  Fruits.     A 

therefore  their  Appearance  is  limited  to  a  (hort  Period,   the:! 

Clothing  is  proportioned  accordingly,  and  a  fimple  Gawj 

is  fuiHcient.  The  Apple  aiid  Pear  which  are  intended  to  fu( 

ceed  them,  and  continue  even  in  the  Winter  Seafon,  hav 

leceived  a  more  compad  Array  :  For  which  Reafon,  Che 

nuts,  and  other  Species  of  Nuts  that  are  to  laft  all  tl: 

Year,  are  flill  fortified  in  a  better  Manner.     Chefnuts  a| 

the  Food  of  whole  Nations:  But  the  little  Birds  would  d 

flroy  them  in  their  tender  State,  and  therefore,  to  prefen 

them  from  fuch  Infults,  Nature  has  fhagged  their  Out-fic 

with  Prickles ;  and  perhaps  intimates  to  us  by  fuch  a  Pr 

caution,  that  they  are  capable  of  furniOiing  us  with  moi 

confiderable  Advantages.     Nuts  are  the  Suilenanceof  fev 

lal  Animals  as  well  as  of  Men  :  They  produce  an  Oil  pr< 

per  for  burning,  and  which  likewife  preferves  our  Paintinj 

and  other  Furniture,  and  gives  a  Supplenefs,  Strength  ar 

Cohefion  to  Leather.     The  Walnut  is   delicious  even  in  i 

State  of  Immaturity,  and  fui  nifhes  our  Tables  with  a  R 

gale  comparable  to  the  fineii  Peach.     Such  a  delicate  FoC| 

would  attrad  all  the  Birds,  and  deprive  Man  of  many  Co 

veniencies,  did  not  the  bitter  Flavour  of  the  Rind  preve 

ihofe  Animals  from  piercing  it  with  their  Bills. 

Count,  Befides  thefe  outward  Foldings 
The  Efider-  very  Seed  has  its  Bag,  and  its  Epidermis^ 
■™*  fine  Skin,  In  which   the  Pulp  and  the  Bv 

are  involved. 

We  may  form  a  Judgment  of  all  other  Seeds  by  the  Stru 
tnreof  a  Pea,  a  Bean,  or  the  Kernel  of  a  Melon  :  TJ 
Texture  is  very  near  the  fame  throughout  the  whole.  Tal 
away  the  Covering  which  infolds  a  Bean  or  any  other  Se< 
you  pieafe,  you  generally  difcover  two  Pieces  which  pa 


Jee/^. 


/.    //.'//./.v/^'  • 


Of  PLANTS.  ^53 

your  Hand,  and  are  called  the  Lobes  of  the 
ed  :  Thefe  are  nothing  elfe  but  a  Compo-    The  Lobes, 
ion   of   a   Kind   of  Meal,  and   the   nutri- 
ental  Juice  or  Sap  of  the  Earth,  which  form  a  Pap  or 
ilky  Subltance  proper  to  nouriih  the  Seed. 
At  the  Top  of  the  Lobes,  the  Bud  is  plant-    The  Bad. 
and  funk  in  like  a  fmall  Stud.   It  is  corn- 
fed  of  *  a  Stock  and  a  Pedicle,  which  lafl 
ill  afterwards  be  the  Root.     The  Stem  or  Body  of  the 
inute-plant,  is  funk  a  little  into  the  inward  Subftance  of 
e  Seed  ;  and  the  Pedicle   or  fraall  Root,  is   that  Point 
lich  we  fee  difpofed  to  fhoot  forth  the  firfl,  from  the  Fold- 
;e  that  enclofes  it. 

The  Pedicle,  or  Tail  of  the  Seed  is  faf- 
led  to  the  Lobes  by  two  Bands,  or  rather    The  Pedick. 
anching   Tubes,    whofe  Ramifications  are 
fperfed  through   the  Lobes,    from  whence  they   are  zV* 
inted  to  derive  the  Juices  neceffary  to  the  young  Plant. 
The  Stock  or  Body  of  the  Plant,  is  enfolded  by    two 
;aves  that  entirely  furround  it,  and  keep  it  fixed  as  in  a^ 
)x,  or  between  a  Couple  of  Scales. 
Thde  two  Leaves  are  the  fiiil  Parts  of  the 
ant  that  difengage  themfelves  from  the  Seed    The  Seminal 
d  the  Earth,  and  are  the  Harbingers  of  the    Leaves. 
runk,  the  exceeding  Delicacy  of  whofe  Tex- 
rc  they  preferve  from  all  Collifions  th^t  would  prove  in- 
rious  to  it,  and  perhaps  they  may  be  ferviceable   in  In- 
mces  of  quite  another  Nature.     As  both  thefe  Leaves  are^ 
many  Plants  very  different  from  the  true  Foliage,  and- 
e  firll  that  rife  from  the  Seed,  to  preferve  the  tender  In- 
ncy  of  the  Plant,  they   are  called  the    Seminal  Leaves, 
here  are  fome  Seeds,  whofe  Lobes  extend  themfelves  out 
the   Earth,  and  feem  to  perform  the  lame  Functions  as 
e  fir  ft  Leaves. 

After   the   little  Root   has  been   nourlfhed 
'  the  Juices  it   extrads  from  the  Lobes,  it    The  Root, 
ids  either  in  its  own  Inclofures,  or  dk  in  the 
:in  of  the  Seed,  a  fmall  Aperture  which  correfponds  with 
}  Point,  and  is  difcoverdble  by  the  Aid  of  a  Microfcope, 
the  Shell  of  the  hardell  Nuts,  as  well  as  in  the  Skin  of 


*  Malpighi  Aniit»  Planr. 

the 


254  DIALOGUE  XIV. 

the  Seed.  Through  this  Aperture  the  Root  pafTes,  and 
fhoots  into  the  Earth  feveral  Fibres,  which  are  (o  manji 
Canals  for  the  Conveyance  of  the  Sap  into  the  Body  of  the 
Root,  from  whence  it  rifes  into  the  Trunk,  and  gives  it  itJ 
Elevation  in  the  Air.  If  the  Trunk  meets  with  a  Mafs  oi 
very  corapad  Earth,  it  turns  afide  into  another  Diredion,! 
being  unable  to  pierce  through  the  £rft  Obftruaion,  and 
fometimesburfts  and  dies  for  want  of  Force  to  proceed  fur 
ther:  On  the  contrary,  if  it  bears  againft  Earth  that  m 
light  and  {oft,  and  which  Qualities  it  ought  to  receive  fron^ 
th!e  Labour  of  the  Gardener*,  it  then  purfues  its  Way  with-t 
out  any  Impediment.  The  Lobes,  after  they  have  ex^ 
haufled  themfelves  for  the  Benefit  of  the  young  Plant,  ex- 
trad  a  -Nourifhment  for  themfelves  and  then  wither  away: 
The  fame  Fate  attends  the  Seminal  Leaves,  which,  by  the 
Miniftration  of  their  Fores,  imbibe  from  the  Air  a  genial 
Humidity,  and  a  Flow  of  Spirits  that  are  falutary  to  the 
Plant,  and  when  their  Services  are  completed,  they  hdt 
and  die  away.  The  young  Plant,  by  the  Inftrumentality 
of  its  Root  and  Fibres,  draws  from  the  Earth  more  flrongl 
and  copious  Juices  than  it  was  at  firft  fupplied  with  by  the 
Seed  ;  it  fiftens  itfelf  more  and  more,  and  begins  to  unfold 
its  different  Parts,  that  before  w^ere  rolled  up  and  involved 
in  one  another.     Let  us  now  proceed  to  the  Parts  within. 

The  Pith  which  is  a  Syftem  of  little  Cells, 

The  Pith.  feparated    by    Interftices    or    Partitions   of    a 

very  thin  Texture,  is  lodged   in  the  Heart  ol 

the  Trunk  and  Branches ;  and    there  great    Quantities  of 

Sap  are  difcovered. 

Round  the  Pith  a  Multitude  of  hollow  Fv 
The  Wood,  bres  rife  in  lateral  Ranges,  difpo'ed  in  Pack-| 
ets  one  againft  another.  All  thefe  Pack- 
ets afcend  the  whole  Length  of  the  Plant,  and  are  com-l 
pa£\cd  together  by  feveral  Fibres,  pafling  in  an  obrj 
lique  Direaion  from  one  Range  to  another,  andj  frequently) 
croffing  each  other  like  the  Figure  of  an  X,  or  the  Mefhes 
of  a  large  Net,  in  fuch  a  Manner,  that  thefe  Fibres  frequent- 
ly admit  of  Spaces  between  them,  which  are  fometimes  m] 
the  Form  of  Lozenges,  fometimes  fquare,  but  generally 
oblong.     This  Syilem  of  long  Tubes  that  afcend  round  the 

*  Hoc  imitatur  arando,    Virgil,  Georg.  2. 

Heart! 


A.  Matte-  Siii//tf^. 


ty/te  *J, 


-/^/f  i^  ^iV.  J/t/t^/"  2^4. 


't//ie  fJ?Mvayr~(^  ^/il^lance  o/a/o^Uj. 


0/ PLANTS.  255 

rart  form  what  we  properly  call  the  Wood,  and  are  ap- 
inted  to  convey  the  Sap. 
Round  the  Wood  is  another  AfTemblage  of 
How   Fibres,    ranged  almoft    in  the  fame    The  Bark, 
anner,  and  thefc  are  called  the  Bark,  There 
:  three   Parts  to  be  taken   Notice  of,  which   differ  from 
e  another ;  the  inward  Bark  or  fine  Skin,  immediately 
itiguous  to  the  Wood  ;  the   Epidermis  or  outward  Skin^, 
lich  is  a  Net  extended  overall  the  exterior  Surface  of  the 
ee,  and  the  intermediate  Bark  or  thick  Subftance  between 
I, two  preceding  Skins. 
The  fine   Bark  has  a  very  fingular  Ufe  in 
ees  :  It  feems  to  be  a   Colledion  of  little   The  fine  Bark, 
ins,  or  a  TifTae  of  Fibres  glewed  over  one 
}ther  5  the  firft  inward  Round  of  which  difengages   itfelf 
m  the  reft  in  the  Spring,  and  adds  a  new  Circumference 
the  Wood  through  its  whole  Length.     Trees,  like  In- 
ts  and  Reptiles,  have   feveral  Skins  folded  over  one  ano- 
r ;  but    then    Reptiles  and  Infeds   divefl  themfelves  of 
:fe   firft  Skins,  and  entirely   quit  them  to  appear  from 
me  to  Time  in  anew  Form  and  another  Array  ;  whereas 
ees   have  annually  a  new  Habit,  but  then  it  is  caft  over 
:  preceding,  the  Bark  ferving  for  a  Surtout.     It  is  evident 
It  the  fine  Bark  furnilhes  the  Tree  with  the  Rounds  of  Fi- 
!s  that  yearly  enlarge  its  Bulk,  becaufe  when  the  large 
rk,  with  that  which  is  inward,  is   cut  off  in  any   Part 
ving  the  Wood  expofed  to  View,  you  muft  never  expedl 
.t  the  Wood  will  receive  any  Augmentation  there  :  Both 
Bark  and  the  Wood  continue  their  Growth   in   the  ad- 
ding Parts,  but  the  Aperture  remains  as  it  was  firft  made, 
i   can  only  be   clofed  up  in  a  long  Procefs  of  Time,  by 
:  lengthening  of  the  Protuberances  formed  by  the  neigh- 
jring  Fibres. 

Tis  eafy  to  diftinguifh  thefe  annual  Accretions  in  Trees ; 
?  need  only  cut  a  Trunk  or  a  large  Branch  horizontally, 
difcover  the  feveral  Circles  or  different  Degrees  of  Thick- 
's round  the  Heart,  and  one  may  infallibly  determine  the 
arsof  the  Tree's  Age,  by  the  Number  of  Circles  vifible 
the  Wood  :  The  laft  Revolutions  are  always  of  a  lighter 
mfiftence,  and  are  called  the  fappy  Parts  of  the  Wood, 
lich  are  rejeded  by  the  Workmen,  as  too  weak  to  be  any 
ay  ferviceable  to  their  Purpofe,  Thefe  foft  Parts  con- 
tract 


256  DIALOGUE  XIV. 

traa  a  Solidity  in  the  fucceeding  Years,  they  likewife  becorat 

more  Goropad,    and  in  no   Particular  differ  from  the  rea 

Wood.     The  Tree,   by  its  perpetual  Increafe  in  Strengtl 

and  Circumference,  forces  the  Fibres  of  the  Bark  to  ibetcl 

and  extend  themfelves,  and  the  outward  Surface  fometime 

burfts  with  a  furprifmg  Noife  ;  this  occafions  the  Crevices 

which  are  always  enlarging  in  the  external  Bark,  in  Prd 

portion  to  the  Growth  of  the  Tree.  I 

We  have  obferved,  that  the  large  Bark  ai 

The  Sap  well  as  the  fmall,  the  fappy  Parts  and  the  rea 

Veffels.  Wood,  are  com po fed  of  long  Rows  of  Tub© 

cr  hollow   Fibres,  that  afcend  ar^d  join   toge 

ther,  or  have  a  Communication  with  one  another  by  th< 

Agency  of  tianfveri'e    Fibres,  and  there  mull  confequentlj 

then  be  feveral  Spaces  between  thefe  Fibres  :  All  thefe  Kind 

of  open  MeQies  are  filled  with  little  Vtffels  or  Bags  of  ai 

oval  Form  pierced  at   the  two  Extremities,  and  joining  U 

one  another  at  each  End  like  a  String  of  Beads,  ranged  a 

the  fame  Time  in  Heaps  one  above  another,  and  extendinj 

in  an  horizontal  Line  from  the  outward  Bark  crofs  the  othe 

two,  and  the  Wood,  and  fo  to  the  Pith  itfelf :  Thefe  Yd 

fels  are  generally  filled  with  Sap. 

Befide  the  Fibres  that  afcend  from  the  Root,  and  confti 
tcte  the  Wood  and  Bark,  there  are  other  Veffels  difpoiei 
in  the  fame  Manner,  and  ranged  along  the  Fibres  at  prope 
Intervals  of  Diilance,  through  the  whole  Subftance  of  th 
Wood  ;  thefe  form  the  Air  Vents,  and  the  Veflel  properl 

fo  called. 

The  Air  Vents  are  a  Set  of  Tubes,  com 

The  Air  Vents*  pofed  of  Fibres   revolving  in  »  fpiral   Linei 

and  in  one    Part   extended  in   little.  Ramilica 

tions   to  the  external   Air,  and  in  the  other  continued   an< 

enlarged  to  the  very  Root  :  Thefe  Veffels  are  always  empty 

The  proper  Veffel  is  a  large  Dud  filled  witl 
The  proper  Oil,  extended  in  Length  between  the  Fibrcl 
Veffels,  ^f  the   Wood,  and  nffng  in  different  Rami 

fications  like  the  Air  Vents  to  the  Top  of  th 
Plant,  and  the  external  Air:  I  call  this  the  Proper  Vejfely  b« 
caufe  it  contains  an  Oil  which  varies  according  to  the  Na 
ture  of  the  Plants,  each  Species  being  impregnated  with  i 
vifcous  Fluid,  proper,  and  indeed  peculiar  to  it.  In  lorn' 
Plants  this  Veffel  contains  a  kind  of  Turpentine  v  in  otheri 

'ti 


0/ PL  ANTS  257 

I  Sort  of  Rofin  or  Pitch  ;  here  it  proves  a  Gum,  and 
» it  is  a  Species  of  Milk  :  'Tis  elfewhere  a  real  Oil,  and 
jtimes  it  affumes  the  Qualities  of  a  Honey,  a  Syrup,^ 
Manna. 

Jq  muft  now  bellow  a  few  Words  on  the 
;in  of  Knots,  and  the  Nature  of  the  Buds    The  Knots, 
are  always  lodged  in  them.     Towards 
Top  of  the  Plant,  and  in  fome  other  Parts  of  the  Trunk 
Root,  Rows  of  little  Branches  fhoot  from  the  Body  of 
Wood,  united  and  interlaced  with  each  other ;  thefe 
srfe  the  Wood,  the  fappy  Subftance  and  the  Bark,  and 
:  Extremities  are  projeded  to  the  external  Air  :  Thefe 
's  are  compofed  of  hollow  Fibres,  proper  Veflels,  and 
zially  Air  Vents  or  empty  Spiracles.     The  Union  of  fo 
y  different  Veflels  fwellsand  enlarges,  in  fome  Meafure, 
Portion  of  the  Bark  in  which  they  terminate  ;  and  this 
hat  we  call  the  Knots,  the  whole  Syflem  of  which  is 
ilated  for  the  Service  and  Growth  of  the  Buds.     Thefe 
fo  many  little  intire  Plants,  all  furniftied   with  their 
bis  and  other  Parts,  rolled  over  one  another  like  Threadir 
3d   into  a  Bail  :  The  Outfide  is  defended  by  feveral 
ings,  and  they  are  lodged  in  the  Knots  of  the  Tree, 
they   may  extrad  from  them  in  their  Turn  all   the 
rifhment  neceflary  to  their  Expanfion  :    I  fay  in  their 
1,  beeaufe  thefe   Buds  are  fubjed  to  the  fame  Procefi 
appears  in  the  Eggs  or  Seed  of  the  young  Offspring  of 
mals ;    there  are  Degrees  and  Diminutions  of  Growtb 
reach,  as  one  may  fay,  to  Infinity  itfelf.  The  Wifdora 
Goodnefs  of  the  Creator  is  as  confpicuous  in  this  Oeco- 
y  as  his  Power  itfelf;  fmce  it  not  only  fupplies  us  with 
lient  Fruit  this  Year,  but   referves  a  Liberality  of  the 
;  Prefents  for  the  next;  and  by  preventing  all  the  Buds 
1  opening  at  the  fame  Time,  by  unequal  Preparations^ 
eafures  up  for  our  Tables  and  Fires  a  Stock  of  Supplies 
are  really  inexhauflible. 
>ur  Obfervations  have  hitherto  been  con- 
i  to  the  Trunk  or  Body  of  the  Tree ;  we    The  Root, 
now  proceed  to  the  Head  and   the  Root. 
s  latter  appears  to  be  only  a  Continuation  of  the  fame 
s     we  have    already  confidered    in     the 
nk  :    The   Fibres  that   fhoot  from  it  on    The  Fibres, 
y  Side  are  probably  an  Extenfion  of  all 

the 


258  DIALOUGE  XIV. 

the  lefler  Vefiels  that  terminate  in  the  external  Bark,  ar 
there  form  Knots  to  recruit  the  Tree,  both  in  the  Earth  an 
without.  In  the  latter  Situation,  when  the  Tree  is  ftrippe 
of  its  Branches ;  in  the  former,  when  fome  Accident  has  di 
prived  it  of  its  Root :  All  thefe  little  Veffels  inclofe  othei 
of  the  fame  Strudlure,  and  whofe  Minutenefs  is  inconceivj 
ble ;  all  of  them  likewife  having  other  Knots  and  othlj 
Buds,  and  Means,  without  End,  to  prefer ve  the  Tree,  an 
perpetuate  the  Species. 

We   diicover  the  Proof  of  this  amaziri 
Slips  and  Layei's.      Arrangement  in  Slips,  and  Layers.     A  Sli 

of  the  Willow  or  Goofeberry-tree,  or,  i 
other  Words,  a  fimple  Stick  of  each  Species,  immediatel 
takes  Root  when  ftuck  in  the  Ground. 

The  Branch  of  a  Vine^  laid  and  bent  into  the  Eartl 
ftioots  out  Fibres  through  the  Knots  that  are  buried  ;  Cut  tl: 
Branch  off,  where  it  joins  with  the  Stock,  and  the  other  En 
that  riles  out  of  the  Ground  becomes  a  new  Vine. 

The    Strawberry    Plant    fpontaneouil 
Shoots.  throws  out,  on  all  Sides,  Trains  or  lor; 

Fibres,  which  have  Knots.  Thefe  latti 
extend  their  Filaments  in  the  Earth,  and  become  fo  man! 
new  Stems.  The  Water  and  Salt,  the  Oil,  Air,  and  Fin 
which  contribute  to  their  Growth,  arc  not  furni(hed  wit 
any  Intelligence,  to  enable  them  to  defign  or  form,  to  plac 
or  play  oiFthe  Inftruments  necefTary  to  the  Life  of  the  ne\ 
Plant:  All  thefe  additional  Roots,  that  fpring  from  Knot! 
frequently  imperceptible  in  the  Slips  and  Layers,  were  lodj 
ed  there  in  Miniature^  and  are  only  a  Syftem  of  Branchej 
which  conftituted  the  Knots  of  the  Stock,  and  which  ai 
then  lengthened  and  difengaged  from  their  former  Coitftraim 
and  con^ded  under  the  Earth,  according  as  the  Sap  flo^^ 
into  their  Apertures. 

As  to  the  Knots  and  Bud,  which  fbrr| 
^^^^^^^^  of  the      the  Head   of  the   Plant   by   furnilhing  : 

with  Branches,  Leaves,  Flowers,  FruitJ 
and  Seed,  a  particular  Account  of  their  various  Mannej 
of  expanding  themfelves  v>ouId  be  endlefs  :  Let  us  conter 
ourfeives  there/orewith  obierving,  that  the  Branches  ani 
Pedicles  of  both  Leaves  and  Flowers  ate  fo  many  Extenj 
fions  and  new  Diilributions  of  all  the  Veffels  we  have  feei' 
in  the  Stock;  that  the(e Veffels  afterwards  expatiate,  more  a 

largi 


Of  PLANTS.  259 

ge  thro'  the  whole  Extent  of  the  Leaves ;  that  the  Fi- 
;s  of  Wood  are  diflributed  in  long  Ranks,  which  we  call 
;  Ribs  ;  that  thefe  Fibres  fuftain  the  Air  Vents  and  the 
ifTel  of  Oil ;  that  the  Orifices  of  the  Vents  and  proper 
ffels  are  on  the  upper  Part  of  the  Leaf,  and  open  to  the 
y;  in  a  Word,  that  crofs  the  Fibres,  and  in  the  whole 
bflance  of  the  Leaves  and  Flowers,  a  vaft  Number  of  lit- 
Veffels  are  placed  in  horizontal  Lines,  the  Plenitude  and 
iriety  of  whoCe  Juices  fortify  the  Leaf  and  Flower,  and 
int  them  with  their  diiFerent  Glow  of  Colours. 
Thefe,  my  dear  Chenjalier,  are  the  Particulars  we  have 
quently  difcovered,  with  our  Microfcopes,  in  the  Gene- 
ity  of  Plants ;  and  indeed,  they  are  no  more  than  a  fhort 
etch  and  imperfea  Outline.  We  muft  now  animate  the 
iole  Syflem  and  fhew  you  the  Progrefs  of  the  Sap.  and  the 
)per  Juices.  But  if  all  thefe  minute  Parts  are  difficult  to 
diftinguiihed,  the  Ufe  of  each  Veffel,  and  the  Courfe  of 
!ir  Fluids  are  attended  with  much  more  Intricacy.  I  have 
quently  attempted  to  difcover  the  Caufe  of  the  Sap's  Mo- 
n  :  I  think  I  have  obferved  its  Circulation,  and  had  feme 
perfed  View  of  the  manner  in  which  it  is  performed,  bue 
lurft  not  attempt  any  thing  on  that  Article. 
Chevalier.  Perhaps  the  Trior  may  not  be  fo  timorous. 
Trior,  I  will  venture  at  one  Conjeaure,  and  let  it  be  re- 
rded  by  the  Company,  no  otherwife  than  as  it  may  ap- 
ir  natural  and  agreeable  to  Experience.  It  feems  to  me, 
It  the  Impulfeof  the  Air  is  capable  of  circulating  the  Sap, 
•0'  the  VeiTelswhofe  Strufture  has  been  defcnbed  to  us, 
I  is  fufficient  to  produce  the  feveral  Kinds  of  Progrefs,  and 
the  Variety  of  Accidents  vifible  in  Trees.  ^ 

If  Plants  are  furnilhed  with  thefe  Vents  or  Wind-pipes, 
!  Intention  certainly  muft  be  to  promote  a  Tranfpi ration 
Air;  and  if  they  breathe  this  Element  like  Animals,  it 
ift  produce  in  them  feme  of  the  Effefts  it  accornphfhes  in 
ife.  The  Motion  of  the  Blood  and  other  Fluids,  in  liv- 
I  Creatures,  feems  to  be  effeded  by  the  Air,  becaufej 
len  the  Communication  of  this  is  intercepted,  their  B.ood 
imediately  grows  thick  and  coagulate?,  and  they  Qi^  the 
oment  they  are  deprived  of  its  beneficial  Effefts  1  his 
ement  therefore  is  in  all  Probability  the  Principle  ot  the 
otion  and  Progrefs  of  Sap  in  Plants;  and  two  Circum- 
nces  concur  to  produce  this  Operation;  one  is  the  b- 
lie  Power  of  the  Air,  or  that  Spring  with  which  it  ex- 
ponas 


26o         DIALOGUE  XIV.  I 

pands  itfelf,  in  Proportion  to  the  Heat  that  penetrates  i,  „ 
Parts,  and  the  Dimenfions  of  the  Place  where  it  obtaiij 
more  Freedom;  the  other  is  the  Strudlure  of  thefe  very  Aij 
pipes,  whofe  fpiral  Rings,  as  they  are  capable  of  Extenfioi^ 
Tumefaiflion  and  Enlargement,  naturally  put  all  that  fuij 
rounds  them  in  Motion.  ^  ^  | 

The  Chevalier  muft  not  be  flartled  at  the  word  Elafticit] 
or  Spring :  It  is  known  by  Experience,  that  the  Air  fhrinl 
and  is  comprefTed  by  the  Cold,  and  is  dilated  and  expanc^ 
cd  into  larger  Dimenfions  by  Heat.  The  various  Chang^ 
of  the  Seafons  make  us  fufiiciently  fenfible  of  thefe  EiFedt^ 
of  which  we  may  have  a  tolerable  Idea,  by  comparing  tl:, 
Body  of  Air  that  furrounds  us,  to  feveral  Locks  of  Woe 
thrown  together  in  a  Heap  :  Prefs  this  Wool,  and  you  will  fin 
it  immediately  fhrink  and  contradl  itfelf  under  your  Hand, 
but  when  it  is  left  to  itfelf,  it  fwellsand  takes  upmore  room, 
It  is  the  fame  with  refped  to  the  Air,  The  only  DifTerenCj 
that  can  be  thought  of  is  this ;  the  Fibres  of  Wool  have  bi^ 
little  Force,  whereas  the  Particles  of  Air  are  actuated  b, 
Tuch  a  powerful  Spring,  that  the  Moment  they  are  releaft 
from  their  Confinement  they  expand  themfelves  with  furpfi 
Sfcing  Violence,  and  frequently  fliatter whatever  oppefcs  itfei| 
in  their  Way.     Let  us  apply  this  Spring  to  Plants. 

The  Gardener  opens  and  turns  the  Earth  with  his  Spadj 
or  Plough  ;  in  this  Earth  a  Multitude  of  airy  Particles  2^ 
lodged,  and  when,  at  the  Return  of  Spring,  and  the  ini 
Heats,  the  Atmofphere  or  Body  of  Air,  which  gravitata 
upon  us  by  the  Preflure  of  the  Cold,  begins  to  rarefy  ant] 
expand,  and  becomes  fubtilized  by  the  Rays  of  the  San| 
thefe  returning  Heats  likewife  communicate  their  Impreffi| 
pns  to  the  Air  in  the  Bowels  of  the  Earth,  upon  which  ii 
begins  to  dilate  in  fome  degree,  and  endeavours  to  breal^, 
from  its  Confinement;  it  ac^s  upon,  and  llrongly  preffe;(j 
the  Matter  that  furrounds  it,  and  forces  into  Motion  al| 
the  Water,  Salts,  and  Oil  it  meets  with  under  the  Earth  .j 
Thefe  Elements,  being  thus  worked  into  Adivity,  infinuaftj 
themfelves  into  the  little  Orifices  of  the  Seed,  and  flowj 
through  all  the  Pores  of  their  Covering ;  the  fmall  VefTebi 
that  fill  the  Seed^  being  fo  many  empty  Bags,  whofc. 
Mouths  are  always  unclofed,  are  eafily  repleniihed  in  theiij 
Turn;  and  as  they  are  open  at  each  Extremity,  the  Sag 
pafles  from  the  firll  Tube  to   the  fecond,  and  fo  to  the  Refl, 

in 


0/  P  L  A  N  T  S.  261 

►ucceflTion ;  by  which  means  it  moiftcns  them  all,  and, 
efs  than  the  Space  of  twenty  four  Hours,  arrives  at  the 
icle  or  Root  of  the  Bud,  after  a  Paffage  through  the 
ow  Branches,  which  are  difperfed  from  all  Parrs  of  the 
es,  and  re-united  in  two  different  Parts  of  the  Root: 
s  Root,  together  with  the  Stem  of  the  Plant  in  the 
,  and  the  feminal  Leaves  which  cover  that  Stem,  arc 
wife  fiU'd  with  hollow  Veffels,  that  drink  in  their  Turn, 
quickly  improve  their  Growth,  with  what  they  receive 
I  the  Lobes.     All  thefc  littk  Veffels,  being  fwelled  in 

Manner,  gradually  rife  and  enlarge  the  Fibres  they 
erfe  ;  thefe  too  have  their  Nourifhment,  and  confequent- 
engthen  and  fwcll.  The  Roc^  continues  to  fhoot  out, 
,  in  a  few  Days,  arrives  at  the  little  Paffage  that  opens 
le  Skins  that  enfold  the  Seed,  and  then  receives  the  nu- 
lental  Juices  of  the  Earth,  wbich  flow  into  the  Extrc- 
ies  of  its  Fib'cs.  The  Stem  and  Seminal  Leaves, 
ig  enlarged  and  animated  by  the  fame  Procefs,  and  dai- 
uihed  forward  by  new  Juices,  mount  to  the  Surface  of 

Earth. 

'ountefs.  With  your  Permiffion,  I  mufl 

•rupt  yoa  here.     When  a  Hufoandman      ^^^  Dlreftion  i 

s,    he  fcatters  his  Corn  at  random,  and     of  the  Seem  and 

ardener,     in  planting  Peas  or  Beans,     Root. 

her  obferves  the  top  or  bottom  of  the 

I.     If  this  Seed  is  inverted,  fo  that  the  Stem  be  at  the 

torn,  and  the  Root  uppermoft,  by  what  means  can  this 

e  Stem  rife  into  the  Air  ?     And  who  gives  the  Root  to 

erftand,  that  its  Office  is  not  to  afccnd,  but  to  fmk  and 

tinue  in  the  Earth  ? 

'r/^r.  This  however  is  the  Condud  they  always  obferve, 

the  Root  itfelf,  after  it  has  fprung  upward  a  little 
jn  the  Seed  has  been  inverted,  falls  into  a  contrary  De- 
ion,  and  bends  and  finks  downwards  into  the  Ground, 
rhc  Stem,  having  penetrated  to  a  fmall  Depth,  always 
es  a  different  Turn,  and  at  laft  rifcs  to  the  Surface  of  the 
th,  and  generally  continues  its  Afcent  in  a  ftraight  Line, 
hout  bending  either  to  one  Side  or  the  other,  unlefs  it  be 
:  of  thofe  Plants  whofe  Fibres  are  contorted -and  weak, 
which  Nature  are  thofe  that  form  the  Vine,  the  Ivy,  the 
p,  and  feveral  others ;  in  which  Cafe,  Nature  has  pro- 
ed  them  with  Tendrils,  twilling  Sprigs,  and  other  Con* 
•  Memoir,  de  TAcad.  1700,  1701,    Nieuwemyr,  Grew. 

veniencies 


262  DIALOGUE  XIV. 

veniencics  for  faftening  on  what  comes  in  their  Way,  an 
fupporting  themfelves  on  a  Prop :  But,  in  general,  the  Ro( 
of  a  Plant  (hoots  into  the  Earth,  and  the  Stem  rifes,  an 
afcends  perpendicularly  into  the  Air.  Thit  is  certainly  { 
it  fhould  be :  but  the  Difficulty  is  to  account  for  their  E: 
forts  to  difengage  themfelves  from  any  Obftacle  to  their  ap 
pointed  Progrefs.  We  do  not  imagine  them  capable  cithe 
of  Underflanding  or  Choice.  All  thefe  Tendencies,  froc 
V^hich  there  are  no  Deviations,  are,  in  my  Opinion,  natd 
rally  accomplifhed  by  anlmpulfe  of  the  Air.  The  Particlel 
of  this  Element,  which  the  firft  Heats  begin  to  unfetter  anJ 
difengage,  meeting,  at  the  Bottom  of  cultivated  Landil 
with  all  the  Refillance  of  an  hard  and  untradlable  Mafs' 
turn  their  Adtivity  on  the  foft  Earth,  and  there  caufe  all  thi 
Juices  to  rife.  The  Sap,  chafed  from  its  former  Situation' 
efcapes  through  all  the  Paffages  that  are  open  to  it,  and  ei: 
thcr  afcending  or  flowing  obliquely,  through  the  Root  anc^ 
its  capillary  Branches,  all  thefe  fupple  and  pliant  Fibref' 
mufl  unavoidably  comply  with  this  Impulfe,  and  gradualljj 
fink  into  the  Earth,  whatever  Track  might  be  firft  taker! 
by  the  Root.  The  Sap  being  put  into  Motion  in  the  Stem;! 
and  pufhed  on  by  that  which  fuccceds,  mounts  upwards,! 
and  naturally  draws  to  the  fame  Quarter  the  Seminal^ 
Leaves;  which,  in  forcing  their  Way  upwards,  through  a^ 
few  Inches  of  light  and  porous  Earth,  find  not  fo  muchj 
Obftrudlion  as  they  would  meet  with  from  the  Earth  belowi 
and  on  each  Side  ;  and  fo  true  it  is,  that  the  Afcent  of  the 
Sap  forces  the  Root  into  a  contrary  Direction,  that  we  have' 
frequently  feen  Acorns,  and  other  Seeds,  even  out  of  the' 
Earth,  flioot  forth  in  moift  Places,  and  for  fome  time  raife' 
their  Root  upwards ;  after  which  they  have  by  Degrees  de-' 
iledled  it  towards  the  Earth,  from  which  it  was  then  at  a' 
confiderable  Diftance.  The  Root  afcended  at  firft,  becaufe, 
as  the  Seed  was  inverted,  the  Juices  of  the  Lobes  neceflari- 
ly  forced  the  Root  upwards ;  but  when  it  began  to  receive' 
its  nutrimental  Juices  immediately  from  the  Vapour  which' 
afcended  from  the  Earth,  this  Vapour,  in  confequence  of 
its  Tendency  aloft;  flowed  into  the  Tube  of  the  Root,  and 
attracted  it  downward,  to  itfelf,  by  the  Continuation  of  its 
Adion.  I  one  Day  accid.ently  left  a  few  Grains  of  Corn 
upon  my  Standifh ;  the  Humidity  of  a  Sponge,  which  was 
there  wrapt  round  a  little  VefTel  of  Water,  made  the  Corn 
which  was  under  it  ihoot  out;    the  Root,  when   it  had 

fprout- 


0/PLANTS.  26^ 

ited  forth  a  little,  did  not  defcend  from  the  Side  of  the 
jifh,  in  order  to  continue  its  Progrefs  to  the  Earth,  but 
ided,  between  the  Sponge  and  the  Veffd,  towards  the 
ture  from  whence  the  Water  flowed  into  the  Sponge, 
at  laft  reached  the  Fluid  itfelf.  Do  >ou  imagine  this 
:  had  any  particular  Inclination  to  that  Part?  No  cer- 
/ ;  but  the  Vapour  or  Humidity  which  exhaled  from 
ponge,  and  efpecially  from  the  Aperture  of  the  VefTel, 
3  Defcent,  flowing  into  the  Root,  raifed  it  in  a  DJrec- 
contrary  to  the  Defcent  of  the  Vapour,  and  attradled 
itfelf.  If  then  the  Root  of  a  Plant  flioots  down  into 
Larth,  it  is  owing  to  the  Impuife  of  the  Sap,  which 
aces  this  Effedl. 

^unte/s.  This  Explication  is  natural  enough  :  but  as 
don't  comprehend  how  you  can  afcribe  to  the  Impuife 
e  Air,  the  upward  Growth  of  the  Stem,  or  that  Dif- 
on  in  moft  Plants  to  raife  and  fuftain  themlelves  aloft, 
that  noble  and  majeflic  Air  which  adorns  all  Nature. 
7or.  When  the  two  Seminal  Leaves  are  once  fliot  into 
3pen  Air,  the  whole  Affair  is  accompliflied ;  if  you 
them  from  the  Stem,  the  Plant  will  foon  die;  but  if 
jermit  them  to  grow,  it  will  quickly  rife  and  afcend  in 
iglw  Line.  It  rifes  foon,  becaufe  the  external  Air  being 
iuced  with  the  Fluidity  of  frequent  Waterings,  or  with 
loiftur^  of  the  Night,  through  the  Orifices  of  the  little 
)ipes,  that  open  on  the  Surface  of  the  Seminal  Leaves, 
!S  itfelf  in  the  Plant,  when  warmed  by  the  returning 
line ;  it  extends  the  Spiral  Rings  of  the  Air-Tubes, 
)refles  all  about  it,  Thofe  Particles  of  ihis  ^ir  which 
e  into  the  Lobes,  complete  the  Preflure  of  their  Utri- 
and  drain  them  with  their  Juices  to  enrich  the  Stem, 
other  Particles  that  flow  into  the  Root,  caufe  the  Sap 
:end  into  the  Body  of  the  Plant,  and  are  daily  pouring 
onew  Vefl'els:  Thefe  Vefl"els  fwell  and  fuilain  the  Fi- 
and,  at  the  fame  Time,  force  them  to  afcend.  The 
enlarges,  the  Leaves  open,  and  Vigour  reigns  through 
/hole.  With  this  Affiitance  of  Air,  the  Stem  not  only 
foon,but  likewifeafcendsin  a  ilraight  Line,  becaufe  the 
life  of  the  Air,  which  flows  into  the  Vents  prefented 
by  the  little  Stem,  has  a  Tendency  upwards ;  and  as 
xternal  Air  likewife  encompaflTes  all  the  Plant,  and,  in 
efcent,  equally  inflnuates  itfelf  into  all  its  Parts,  equal- 
lates  all  its  Air-Veflels,  and  equally  fortifies  all  its  Fi- 
bres ; 


264  DIALOGUE   XIV. 

brcs ;  no  Reafon  can  be  affigned,  why  fuch  a  Plant  fhd 
incline  to  one  Side  more  than  another,  unlefs  iome  forei 
Accident  intervene  to  bend  it.     The  Lobes  and  Semi 
Leaves  begin  now  to  be  ufelefs  to  the  Plant ;  fince  its  oi 
Foliage  provides  more  availing  Supplies,  by  the  Multiti  j 
of  new  Air  Vents  it  unfolds,  and  through  which  the  cxterj 
Air,  forcing  into  Motion  that  which  it  finds  withm,  mi 
from  the  Roots  a  Qaantiiy  of  new  Juices  that  fill  the  Fibn 
Ihe  Utricles  and  Pith,  caufing  a  vigorous  Youth  to  fucq 
a  delicate  and  feeble  Infancy.     The  Juices  which  then  i 
cend  in  the  Plant  are  too  ftrong  to  be  admitted  into  the  l| 
d^  Fibres  of  the  Seminal  Leaves ;  they  find  freer  Paira| 
elfewhere,  into  which  they  flow.     The  fmall  Quantity) 
Sap  remaining  in  the  Utricles  of  theie  Seminal  Leaves  co 
pletes  its  Difcharge  into  the  Stem,  or  elfe  evaporates  wi 
out  being  recruited ;  by  which  means  both  the  Seed  t 
Seminal  Leaves  are  exhaullcd,  and  gradually  wither,  or  \ 

away. 

As  the  Plant  is  now  no  longer  in  its  Infancy,let  us  exam 
in  what  Manner  it  receives  its  Nourifhment.       ,     _  .    . 

Coufrt.  I  am  no  longer  in  Pain,  to  difcover  the  Princi 
of  Motion  in  the  nutrimental  Juices,  fince  the  Air  we  breatt 
by  the  Medi^ion  of  a  fingle  Windpipe,  and  which  is  cal 
ble  of  imparting  Motion  to  the  Aliment,  and  Fludity  to  j 
Blood,  enters  through  a  Number  of  Canals,  into  the  Bo< 
of  Trees,  and  the  very  Depth  of  the  Earth,  where  it 
fcends,  in  order  to  find  out  and  convey  proper  Nourifhrnt 
to  Plants ;  and  it  is  eafy  to  comprehend,  how  the  Air,  ad 
upon  by  the  Sun's  Heat,  and  expanding  by  its  natu 
Spring,  can  puih  before  it,  and  impel  into  the  Apert^ 
of  the  Roots,  what  Juices  it  meets  with;  but  my  great  H 
ficulty  is  to  know,howthe  Air  and  Heat  are  capable  of  e» 
veying  to  each  Plant  the  very  Juices  that  peculiarly  con' 
pond  with  its  Nature. 

Countefs.  This  is  what  I  was  waiting  to  hear  the  Fj 
clear  up.  Thefe  Plants  are  fixed  in  the  Earth  by  as  ma| 
Faftenings  as  they  have  Roots,  and  cannot  move  one  SI 
to  provide  for  their  Neceflities.  How  can  the  heated  i' 
then  fumifh  them  precifely  with  what  they  want  ?  For  eij 
Species  has  its  particular  Inclination  and  Tafte.  This  flij 
be  fupplied  with  acid,  and  that  with  foftcr  Salts  ;  one 
mands  Milk,  another  mull  be  nourifhed  with  0"\^ 
then  can  they  be  all  accommodated,  without  any  Miltal 
'  Pr 


0/  P  L  A  N  T  a  26s 

Prion  Should  the  Air  indeed  change  its  Operations^  and 
nvey  a  Flow  of  acid  Juices  to  a  Tree  that  requires' Oil, 
ingle  Kitchen  Garden  would  difgufl  a  number  of  Peol 
r.  But  the  Air  and  Heat  have  it  only  in  Commiffion  to 
re  Motion  to  ail  the  Juices  they  find,  and  direathem  ta 
:  Plants,  who  are  then  to  chule  for  themfelves  whatever 
y  want. 

O^e-va/ier.  How,  Sir !  have  Plants  then  Difcernment 
>ugh  to  fmgle  out  what  is  proper  for  them,  ?aid  rejed  all 
t  may  prove  injurious  ? 

^rior.  Difcernment,  Sir  !  You  would  not  imao-ine  to 
at  a  Degree  of  Nicety  their  Choice  extends.  But,  to 
ke  you  fenfible  of  it,  let  us  compare  the  Earth  of  a 
chen-garden,  impregnated  with  its  different  Juice<^  ta 
^elTel  in  which  Oil,  Water,  and  Wine  have  been  pro- 
cuoufiy  poured.  Take  three  Linen  Fillets,  and  Acep 
End  of  one  in  Water,  the  End  of  the  fecond  in  a  few 
)ps  of  Oil,  and  that^of  the  third  in  Wine;  after  which 
thefe  three  Fillets  into  the  Vcm,  in  fuch  a  Manner^' 
:  their  moiftened  Extremities  may  plunge  into  the  Li- 
r,  and  the  Ends  that  are  dry  may  be  raifed  and  brought  / 

•  the  Rim  of  the  Veff-l  a  little  below  the  Surface  of  the 
lor;  the  Fillet,  which  was  fail  ileepd  in  Wa-er,  will 
tfelfwith  that  Fluid,  and  diilil  no  other;  thatwhofa 

was  immerfed  in  Oil  will  evacuate  Oil  alone  ;  and  the 
r  will  redden  by  Degrees,  and  no  Fluid  .but  Wine  will 

from  it :  They  never  vary  in  this  Operation,  and  you 
find  fomething  in  Plants  that  perfectly  correfponds  witk 
Proceedmg.  That  Being  who  created  them,  and  br 
m  they  are  fupplied  with  all  the  Vefiels  necefikry  to 

•  Nourifhment  and  Propagation,  has  not  negleded  to 
?,  at  the  lower  Extremity  of  thefe  VelTels,  a  Syftemt 
Tamers,  whofe  different  Apertures  eafily  admit  certain 
:s,  and  rejeci:  all  others.  The  proper  Vem  feems. 
;  efpecially,  to  have  been  impregnated,  towards  its 
emity,  with   fome  Drops  of  the  Liquor,  which  im- 

a  diihna  Scent  and  Flaviour  to  the  Fruits  of  every 
:;  by  which  Means,  the  Fibres  permit  only  Water 
certain  Salts  to  flow  into  their  Orifjces,  and  the  proper 
d  gives  AdmiiTion  to  nothing  but  Oils,  perfedly  con- 
able  to  the  Nature  of  its  own,  whilfc  all  others  will  be 


^m        DIALOGUE    XIV- 

The  Refine-  ccnilantly  excluded.  By  the  very  fam( 
jnentofthsSap  Procefs,  the  Sap  of  a  wild  Stock  is  refined 
in  Graft.  ^y  -^g  flowing  into  a  good  Branch  graftec 

on  it.  This  Sap  meets  with  Strainers,  or  the  Orifices  oi 
Tubes,  too  £ae  to  give  AdmifTion  to  its  grofTer  Particles 
,and  confequently  none  but  the  moil  delicate  can  paf. 
through  :  At  the' En  trance  into  the  proper  VefTel,  it  arrive 
at  a  Syllem  of  Glands,  impregnated  with  a  certain  Oil :  Al 
-the  Particles  of  the  Sap,  that  correfpond  in  Finenefs  witi 
this  Oil,  are  well  received;  the  reit  flow  in  a  diiFereni 
Track,  and  are  diflributcd  into  Branches  where  tliey  ma;? 
prove  more  acceptable.  And  thus  the  fame  Tree  is  capa 
ble  of  pj-oducing  Fruits,  very  different  in  their  Natures  ancj 
Qualities. 

Ch^'v^Uer.  t  am  loil  in  Ailonifhrnent,  at  the  View  c 
(q  much  Simplicity  and  Prolificnefs,    in  the  Works  of  tW 

Deity.  r       r^  1. 

Prior.  We  may  conceive,  at  leail:  m  fome  Degree,  hovi 

plants  of  a  different  Nature,  may,  in  the  fame  Earth,  am 
without  any  Eflbrt  or  Motion  of  their  own,  be  fuppha^ 
V/ith  Juices  and  Liquors  necelTary  to  their  Welfare ;  anr| 
now,  if  pofiibie,  let  us  attempt  to  puifue  thefe  Fluids,  i 
their  Progrefs,  and  difcover  v/hether  the  Afcent  of  the  Sap 
from  the  Root  to  the  Branches,  and  its  Return  from  th 
Branches  to  the  Root,  be  a  Faa  or  not,  and  m  wha 
Channel  it  flows. 

I  am  much  inclined  to  believe,  that  the  Sap  neither  a! 
cends  thro'  the  Pith  nor  the  Bark  :  It  cannot  n{t  throug 
the  Pith,  becaufe  this  is  unprovided  with  VelTels  proper  t 
convey  k  upwards,  and  is  only  furniihed  with  little  CaV 
des  to  contain  it.  In  ihort,  it  is  the  common  Refervoir  ( 
the  Sap,  but  not  the  Canal  through  which  it  flows.  Thei 
is  likevUe  as  little  Probability,  that  it  fliould  mouE, 
through  iht  Fibres  of  the  Bark,  becdufe  the  Sap  which  : 
found^'in  the  Bark  of  feveral  Plants,  as  Cherry  Trees  k 
Inilance,  k  tlnSUired  with  a  very  beautiful  Red,  a  Qualit 
not  imparted  to  it  by  the  Earth  ;  and  which,  indeed, 
canncl  accuii'.^  any  otHerwiie,  than  by  the  Intermixture  t 
r  '^  the  Juices  that  defcend  from  the  Leaves  an, 
J^-:  ^lie  Fruits,  it  remains  for  us  then  to  fay,  i 
W^f  "^'         aicend3  tino^  the  Fibres  of  th^  Wood  kleli. 


0/  P  L  A  N  T  S.  257 

1  the  Extremeties  of  its  whole  Circiimference ;  and  indeed 
befe  long  Fibres,  fo  prop::  f-  ths  Ccr.ypance  ofFJuids, 
rs  t:ie  very  V^ffels  wherein  we  find  the  crude  Sap  wi'hont 
.olour  or  any  other  Quality,  unlefs  it  be  generally  a'very 
larp  Acid      It  refines  in  its  Progrefs  through  the  Tubes 
'hich,  ni  their  Afcent,  contrad  themfelves  into  lefler  Di* 
venUons,  and  allow  a  Paffage  only  to  light 
uices  and  Salts.     The  Sap  i^ows  into  the     TheUfeofthe 
eaves,  where  it  acquires  its  Perfeftion,  be-     ^*3^«- 
iufe  a  great  Number  of  Air-vents,  opening  to  the  Sky  on 
.e  upper  Surface  of  the  Leaf,  are  perpetuaLIv  fumVed  with 
umid  and  refrefting  Streams,    together  ^.^th  new  AcceJ 
.ns  of  Air,  and  new  Particles  of  Nitre,  Fire  and  fakta- 
^Spirits    which  mingle  with  the  Sap,  and,  after  Subtil 
"fits      '         '  "^^    *^  '  for  AdmiiLn  into  Flowers  and 

It  is  likewife  very  credible,  that  the  pro-  The  e.vfi  Ufe 
;r  Veliel,  as  it  ftoots  its  Branches  into  all  "f  the  proper 
.e  Leaves,  Flowers  and  Fruits,  diifufes  in-  '^''^='- 
i  them  a  certain  Honey  or  Oil,  that  min-  The  Orig!,* 
"  "sbalfamic  Particles  with  the  Air,  Salt  "^  tte  Scene 
id  Water,  from  whence  the  Scent  and  ""'^  Fjavour  of 
iavour  of  Fruits  and  Flowers  evidently  re-  If'^'  '""^ 
It.     This  Obfervation  agrees  very   well  "' 

ith  Experience  :  No  Parts  of  the  Tree  are  more  oily  and 
.nmg  than  the  Leaves  and  Flowers;  and  the  ConfoL  y 
1  alte  between  the  Oil  which  moiftens  the  Leaves,  and 
e  Fruit  cover'd  by  their  Expanfion,  is  very  fenfibly  per- 
ived  in  feveral  Frees,  particularly  thofe'that  bear  the 
alnut  and  the  Peach.  The  Leaves  have  before-hand 
at  agreeable  Bitternefs  nnd  I'alle,  which  they  afterward 
mmunicate  to  the  Fruit  and  Kernel  they  are  to  produce 
he  Sap,  purified  ^nd  perfumed  in  the  Leaves,  acquires  a 
elicacy  luffiaentfor  its  Admiffion  into  the  Pedicles,  or 
;ms  of  the  neareft  Flowers  or  Fruits ;  and  this  is  the 
rack  wherein,  according  to  all  Appearance,  it  flows; 
caufe  when  Caterpillars,  or  other  Accidents,  have  ftripl 
d  tiie  I  rees  of  their  Leaves  in  the  Spring,  the  Fruits 
uch  began  to  be  formed,  wither  away ;  certainly  not 
r  Want  of  Sap,  the  Mildnefs  of  that  Seafon  furniftin.. 
em  with  a  lufficlent  Quantity,  but  only  for  want  of  Sap 

•"  2    .  prepared 


^m  DIALOGUE   XIV. 

prepared  and  accommodated  to  the  Veflels  that  compcji 

.thefejxuits^  .    r  r>    cr   r       ^    •   •    '' 

The  Sap,  whole  Grollnels  made  it  mcsj, 

of  The  st'r'''    pableof  a  Reception  in  the  Capillary  Veflcj^ 

of  Leaves  and  Fruits,  apparently  difchargu 

itfelf  into  the  Bark.  . 

That  Sap,  the  Finenefs  of  whofe  Juices  gave  it  Admi 
fion  into  the  Leaves  and  Fruits,  after  it  has  pafled  throucj 
th^  Fibres,  the  Utricles  and  the  Pith,  divides  itfelf  inj 
two  Branches,  one  of  v^hich  flows  back  thro^  the  Barlj 
and  the  other  evaporates,  by  Tranfpiration,  through  tl 
Epidermis,  or  external  Bark. 

The  reEned  Sap,  which  flows  back  through  the  Bar! 
colours  the  groffer  Sap,  which  likewife  repaffes  there  as 
the  Mixture  of  thefe  two  Fluids  produces  that  admirab 
Effed  in  the  Bark,  which  his  Lordlhip  made  us  acquaints 
with  before;  I  mean  the  detaching  and  Nourilhment  ( 
the  iaft  Round  of  Fibres  in  this  Bark,  in  order  to  incorp«j 
rate  it  into  the  Wood,  and  enlarge  it  with  a  new  Circun 
ference.  But  this  is  not  the  only  Funaion  of  the  Sa 
which  defcends  into  the  Bark  :  Its  iinell  Particles  are  ri 
ceived  into  the  Utricles,  and  thofe  whicii  are  too  grof 
are  precipitated  towards  the  Root,  in  order  to  be  raifed  an 
filtred  a- new. 

The  Juices  which  are  received  into  the  Utricles,  flov 
through  the  Fibres  of  the  Wood,  to  the  Pith,  where  thef 
perform  two  Fun6lions :  Firft,  they  refrefh  andnourifh  tl: 
Wood  through  its  whole  Length  ;  and  then  pafs  from  tt. 
Utricles^  into  the  Tranfverfe  Fibres  that  form  the  Knots 
hy  which  means,  the  Gems  lodged  there  are  impregnatej 
with  a  Juice  perfectly  prepared  and  adapted  to  their  delicaij 
Strudure  ;  and  if  you  top  a  Tree,  the  Utricles,  as  thej 
then  receive  a  greater  Quantity  of  Sap,  fhoot  out  moij 
Gems.  This  Progrefs  which  I  afcribe  to  the  Sap,  froi 
the  Bark  to  the  Utricles  and  Pkh,  and  from  thence  to  th 
Fibres  of  the  Knots,  is  exaflly  conformable  to  the  Difpcj 
fition  of  the  Veffels ;  and  the  more  probable,  becaufe  Plani, 
which  have  many  Gems,  Flowers  and  Fruits,  are  likewil, 
furniihed  with  a  large  Quantity  of  Pith,  as  the  Elder  fc^ 
Jnilance  ;  and,  on  the  contrary,  thofe  that  have  but  fe\ 
cxr  no  Gems  to  nourifh,  are  quite  deftitute  of  Pith  ^  of  thi 
%  ort  are  the  Stalks  of  Beans  and  Corn. 


0/ PLANTS.  2% 

As  to  the  other  Part  of  the  refined  Sap,  which  evaporates^ 
ough  the  Epidermis ,  or   fme  Skin  of  the  Leaves  and' 
uits,    it  only  tranfpires    in  Proportion  to  the   Open- 
^s  of  the  Pores.     A  gentle  Heat,  qualified  with  foft  and^ 
relhing  Gales,  keeps  allthe  Juices  of  Plants  in  Aaion,- 
i  prevents  an  immoderate  Evaporation  :  'Tis  this  vvhich^ 
■ferves  the  great  Quantity  of  Sap  they 
Fefs,  both  in  Spring  and    the  Clofe  of      Thetw^Saps.^ 
nmer.     But  the  Heat  is  fometimes  fo  vi- 
ntj  and  opens  the  Surface  of  the  Leaves,    and  other 
rts  of  the  Plant,  to  fuch  a  degree,    that  the  Juice   of 
Utricles,    which   run   horizontally    to    the   Epider-^ 
J,  foon  flows  out  and  diiTipates.      The  Utricles  then^ 
I  more  Sap  than  is  reilored  to  them,  a^d  confequently" 
ii  fnrink   and  flatten,  like   empty  Bags;    the  Fibres,- 
ich    they  fultain,  languiih  and  fade  for  Want  of  that 
)poTt,  and  you  then  fee  the  Leaves  and  little  Branches' 
\g  down  as  ready  to  wither.   Whilll  the  exceiTive  HeatS^ 
itinue,  the  Tree  thrives  more   by  Night  than   in  the 
y,  becaufe  the  Night  recruits  it  with  more  Juices  than 
Day  had  evaporated. 

^ut,   befide  the  Frefhnefs  and  Humidity    w,.     -      \^,. 
he  Night.  Nature  has  prepared  for  this    o^'tS'topJ 
1  another  Remedy,   which   is  always     Veflel, 
5licable,   even  in  the  ordinary  Heats. 
e  proper  Y^Ktl,  which  contains  a  gummy  Fluid  pecu«r 
to  every  Plant,  is  not  only  defigned  to  complete  the 
and  Flavour  of  Fruits,  to  perfume  the  Air  with  the 
1:  fragrant  Odours,    to  paint  the  Flowers  and  Fruits 
fi  the  amiable  Glow  we  fo  much  admire,  to  furnifli  the 
s  with  the  Syrup  they  extradl,  and  to  accommodate' 
rikind    with  falutary  Oils   of  every  Sort;  befides   alt 
e  Effeds,  it  has  another  Funftion ;  for  it  diffufes  over 
Leaves  a  fmall  Quantity  of  its  Oil,  the  light  Flow  of 
ch,    tho'  it  cannot  prevent  the  violent  Infufion  of  Air 
the  Vent-Holes,  is  fufficient   to  cover  and  clofe  u|^' 
other  little  Orifices^  of  the  Epidermis 
Sap-VefTels ;    and    this  preferves    the     ^^er-greens. 
:es  from  too  great  a  Diflipation. 
'rom  hence  it  apparently  follows,  that  Plants  abound- 
with  this  Oil,  which  in  them   is   more   vifcous  and' 
cult  to  be  evaporated,  muil  be  always  green,  fuch  asr 
N  3  Box^ 


270  DIALOGUE   XIV. 

Box,  Laurel,  Orange-trees,  and  efpeclally  Pines,  Firs^' 
and  Yews,  which  fpread  their  Verdure  in  Regions  expofed 
to  the  fevereil  Colds,  and  moil  neglefted  by  the  Sun.i 
Thefe  Trees  are  flow  in  their  Growth,  becaufe  they  admil 
lefs  Air  than  others,  but  they  retain  better  what  they  have 
received,  becaufe  the  Oil  of  Rofin,  with  which  they  ar©l 
imprcgnated,  defends  their  outward  Surface,  and  prevents,] 
Heats,  Rains,  and  fultry  Winds  from  diflipating  thekj 
juices,  and  impairing  their  Growth. 
TheF  n  fth  When  the  firll  returning  Colds  begin  to 

Leaves.  contra(^  the  outward  Surface  of  the  Leaves, 

the  Sap  is  then  evaporated  in  a  much  lefTed 
Quantity  than  it  was  before,  and  as  the  Juices  which  Hill! 
continue  to  afcend,  thicken  the  Leaves ;  thefe  are  then' 
carried  away  by  Winds,  and  their  own  Weight,  or  at^ 
leaft  their  Oils  and  other  Fluids  are  gradually  diffipaj:edJ 
without  being  recruited;  in  Confequence  of  which,  the! 
Foliage  afTumes  a  yellowifli  Hue,  and  is  only  a  Compli- 
cation of  withered  Ve&ls,  and  dried  Fibres.  Winter  atj 
lall  benumbs  all  Nature,  and  her  vegetable  Works  appear 
indolent  and  difarrayed,  till  the  returning  Sun  enlivens! 
them  anew,  by  reanimating  the  Air  and  Sap.  ,1 

Count.  There  are  two  Points  in  your  SuppofitionJ 
which  may  be  feparately  confidered :  One  is  the  Manner! 
in  which  you  reprefent  the  Circulation  of  the  Sap ;  thel 
other,  the  Caufe  to  which  you  afcribe  it. 

As  to  the  firft  Particular,  I  am  very  inclinable  to  be^ 
lieve,  that  the  Juices  of  the  Earth,  and  thofe  of  the  Air  J 
or  the  aerial  Spirits,  have  an  alternate  Motion  in  Plants ; ' 
and  that  the  former  afcend,  by  Day,  thro'  the  Wood  and! 
Bark,  and  the  latter  defcend  with  the  Sap,  efpecially  in' 
the  Night,  through  the  fame  Canals.  But  I  confefs  there| 
are  feveral  Experiments  whicii  feem  to  favour  your  OpiJ 
nion.  ' 

Jf  a  circular  Gafli  be  opened  in  the  Bark  of  an  Olive  i 
Tree,  it  will  produce,  that  Year,  a  double  Quantity  of 
"ElofToms  and  Fruits ;  but  all  the  Growth  about  the  Wound 
will  afterwards  languifh  by  Degrees,  till  it  be  quite  dead. 
The  Caufe  of  both  feems  to  be  this  :  The  Sap,  being  in- 
tercepted, in  its  returning  Flow  through  the  Tumour 
which  is  formed  in  the  Wound,  is,  at  firft,  plentifully 
difFufed  through  the  Branches,  after  which  it  thickens,  and 

then 


0/  P  L  A  N  T  S.  2jt 

en  continues  in  a  conftant  State  of  Stagnation; 

I  know   fome  Plants,  very   tender  and 

II  of  Milk,  which  aiFord  Circumllances     r^^^^^  ^^^^^^ 
at  corroborate  your  Opinion:  When  you 

ad  them  very  tight  about  the  Middle  of  the  Stem,  yoii^ 
J  by  Degrees,  all  above  the  Ligament  fwell,  and  appear 
ady  to  burU,  which  can  only  proceed  from  the  milky 
ice  which  rifes  from  the  Root,  through  the  Body  of  the 
tm,  towards  the  Top,  and  afterward  defcends  along  the 
,rk,  and  would  continue  its  Progrefs  to  the  Root,  were 
not  l^opp'd  by  the  Binding,  in  the  fame  manner  as  the 
ood  flows  from  the  interior  VelTels  or  Arteries,  through- 
:ret  Duds,  into  the  exterior  VeiTels  called  the  Veins^ 
d,  from  thence  returns  to  the  Heart,  unlefs  you  obftrucS 
Courfe  by  a  Ligament;  after  which  it  increafes  in 
jantity,    and  vifibly  fvy'clls  the  VefTels  above  the  Bind* 

'Tis    well    known,  that  the  hidians  by        ^  .    .„. 
iking  an  Incilion  at  the  Bottom  of  the  ^  ^      ''^^* 

rk  of  their  Palm  or  Date  Trees,  and  inferting  a  fleiKicr 
;ed,  extract  a  very  agreeable  Liquor  in  great  Plenty y- 
lich  they  call  Palm-Wine;  and  which,  in  a  few  Days, 
anges  to  Vinegar.  In  my  Judgment,  we  need  only^ 
)pofe  the  Return  of  the  Sap- through  the  Bark,  to  ac- 
mt  for  this  Fad.  How  could  the  Sap,,  in  rifing  from- 
I  Earth  through  the  Bark,  as  is  commonly  imagined, 
|uire  that  aromatic  or  vinous  Flavour  ?  It  is  much  more 
tural  to  fay,  that  this  Sap,  afcends  through  the  Fibres 
the  Wood ;  filtres  and  refines  itfelf,  to  its  Perfedion,  in 
:  Leaves,  and  there  mingles  with  the  Liquor  of  the 
fiel  proper  and  peculiar  to  the  Palm-Tree  ;,  after  which, 
Lt  Part  of  the  juice  which  flows  back  from  the  Leaves, 
xing  itfelf  in  the  Bark  with  the  Fluid  that  afcen<3s 
m  the  Branches,  produces  a  copious  and  agreeable  Li- 
3r.  At  the  Expiration  of  a  few  Days,  the  volatile  and 
afant  Juices  which,  in  that  Liquor,  correded  the  Acri- 
)ny  of  the  Salts,  and  the  bitter  Flavour  of  the  crude  Sap, 
ng  evaporated,  the  Indians  have  then  nothing  but  a 
)fs  Sap,  in  which  the  Salts  are  unlheathed,  and  this 
ikes  their  Vinegar. 

As  to  the  Caufe  of  the  Circulation,  which  you  afcribe  to^ 

J  Adion  of  Heat,  and  the  Spring  of  the  Air,  the  Prcofs- 

N  4,  are 


27^         DIALOGUE   XIV. 

are  very  numerous.     Plants  are  fo  fubjed  to  the  Impulse  of 
the  Air,  that  they  faithfully   fubmit  to  all  its  Variations 
They  die  when  they  are  deltltute  of  its  Supplies,  they  Ian 
guifh  when  they  have  but  little ;  they  are  benumb'd  wheni 
it  is  candenfed,  and  re-animated  v^hen  it  recovers  its  Vi-- 
gour.  ^  ^  I 

I  lately  made  an  Experiment,  which  is  fo  favourable  to* 
your  Opinion,  that  it  would  be  Injuilice  to  conceal  it  from: 
you  *.  I  fow'd  fome  Lettice  Seed,  in  Earth  expofed  la: 
the  Air;  aad  at  the  fame  time  fcv^^'d  a  few  more  of  that 
Seed  in  Earth,  which  I  placed  in  the  Receiver  of  an  Air- 
pump,  and  immediately  drew  out  all  the  Air.  The  firili 
Parcel  of  Seed  fprouted  forth,  and,  in  the  Space  of  eight 
Days,  fhot  up  an  Inch  and  a  half  high ;  but  that  in  thei 
Receiver  did  not  fpring  up  in  the  kail :  I  then  let  the  Air 
in,  and  immediately  every  thing  was  in  Motion,  and,  in 
lefs  th.an  eight  Days,  the  Seed  fhot  up  to  the  Height  of 
two  Inches  and  more. 

It  is  likewife  owing  to  the  Power  of  the  Air,  that  the 
fprouted  Barley,  which  is  brewed  for  my  Servants,  and 
ufually  kept  in  a  Cellar,  turns  and  direds  all  its  Shoots  to 
the  opening  through  which  the  Air  flows.  The  Air, 
which  enters  at  that  Paflage,  ft  reams  into  the  Pores  of  all 
the  Grain,  and  turns  them  to  that  Quarter,  which  is  a 
Confirmation  of  your  Remarks  on  the  Tendency  of 
Plants. 

The  fame  Tendency  is  obfervable  in  all  Plants  laid  ia 
Cellars ;  for  their  Leaves  are  always  dixeded  to  the  Air 
Vent  or  the  Door. 

In  a  Word,  fo  true  it  is,  that  Plants  are  only  ftrong  or 
weak,  in  proportion  to  the  Force  or  Imbeciliity  of  th« 
Air,  wJiich  infinuates  itfelf  into  their  Pores ;  that  if  you 
expofe  Succory,  Cardoons,  and  Selery,  in  the  open  Air, 
tiiey  Will  be  tinged  with  a  very  llrong  Green,  but  the 
Flavour  of  their  Juices  will  be  tcx)  bitter;  whereas  if  you 
bind  them  with  a  String,  or  lay  them  up  in  Bundles,  as 
the  Air  then  enters  their  Spiracles  with  Diflicuky,  it  only 
operates  upon  fuch  weak   Juices  as  correfpond  with  the 

Philo^oph.  Tr3nra£licns,  n.  13.    Lcwthcrp's  Abridgment,  Vol.11. 

Smalaefs 


.  /.  //,'ff, ■/.„//> 


0/ PLANTS.  .  47^ 

Jmalnefs  of  the  Fibres  ;  in  confequence  of  which,  all  thofe 
prouting  Leaves  you  difcover  in  the  Infide  of  thefe  Bun- 
lies,  advance  but  flowly,  and,  as  they  are  incapable  of 
enlarging  their  Fibres,  they  always  preferve  an  Air  of 
Delicacy  and  Youth ;  every  Part  is  tender,  the  Flavour 
greeable,  and  the  Colour  extremely  pale. 

Cbevalier,    I  have  fometimes  asked  our  Gardener  the' 
leafon  of  this  Faft  ;  but  he  only  anfwered,  that  it  was  his 
Jufmefs  to  tie  the  Succory  into  Bundles,  and  mine  to  find' 
•ut  the  Caufe  of  their  whitilh  Complexion. 

Comf,    If  the  Air  fortifies  and  unfolds  Plants,  in  pr<o- 
ortion  as  they  are  fufceptible  of  its  Power,  we  have  thea- 
lie  Solution  of    a  Queltion,    which  has  frequently  em- 
loyed  our  Thoughts,  though  we  could  not  come  to  any 
articular  Determination.       Look   on    that  little  Hill, 
'hevalier,  it  ends  in  a  very  level  Plain,  on 
^hich  you  obferve  a  large  Walnut-Tree,      WhytheJow- 
nd  another  on  the  Slope  of  the  Hill :  Be     ^^  Branches  of 
leafed  to  take  Notice,    that  the    loweft     1^^"^^??''^^' 
ranches  of  the  Tree,  which  grows  on  the    ':l  ^^^^^ 
lam,  are  exadly  parallel  to   the  Earth,     are  planted. 
k^er  which  they  fpread,   and  every  where 
:  an  equal  Diltance  from  it.     Obferve  likewife,  that  the 
;well  Branches  of  the  other  Tree,  on  the  Slant  of  the 
-ill,    are  equally  diftant   from  the  Declivity ;    but  the 
ree,  to  acquire  that  Arrangement,  has  fhot  out  a  much 
;eater  Number  of  Branches  towards  the  Bottom  of  the 
ill  than  at  the  Top.     You  will  conllantly  obferve  that 
e  loweft  Spread  of    Branches,    of   thofe  Trees   which 
e  permitted  to  have  their  natural  Growth,  will  cor- 
fpond  with  the  Pofition  of  the  Earth  they  cover,  and- 
fcribe  an  oblique  or  horizontal  Line,  to  preferve,    in 
ery  Part,   an  Equidiftance  from  the  Earth.     If  the  Rea- 
n  of  this  kind-  of  Tendency  be  demanded,  I  think,  it- 
to  be  difcovered  in   the  Priors  Conjeaure,-  and  flows 
)m  it  as   a  natural  Confequence. 

The  Trunk  of  the  Walnut-Tree,  on  the  Declivity  of 
e  Hill,  forms  an  acute  Angle  with  that  Hill,    towards 
e  Top,  and  the  fame  Trunk  makes   an  obtufe  Angle 
ththeHiil,  toward  the  Bottom;    or,  in  other  Words, . 
ere  is  much  h{s  Space  between  the  Tree  and  the  Earth 
the  upper  Pait  of  the  Hill,  than  bet^veen  the  fame'Tree 

N  c.  and^ 


274         DIALOGUE    XIV. 

and  the  Hill,    toward  the  Bottom      If  therefore  there  be* 
fix  Columns  of  Air  between  the  Tree  and  the  Earth,  to- 
ward the  Summit,  or  in  the  acute  Angle,   there  will  be 
nine  or  ten  Columns,  toward  the  Bottom,  or  in  theobtufe 
Angle  :  Now,  where  an  equal  Quantity  of  free  and  adive  ,, 
Air  is  diffufed,    there  very    near  an   equal  Growth   of'^' 
Branches  will  fpread ;    and^  on  the  contrary,  where  the  - 
Air  has  a  llronger  Impulfe,  there  a  greater  Number  of  Buds  j 
and  Branches  will  fpring  forth.     With  refped:  to  the  Tree'! 
that  grows  on  the  level  Plain,  you  fc«  an  equal  Diilance 
fcetween    each  Side  of  the  Top  of  the  Trunk  and  the 
Earth;    thefe  are  two  right  Angles  :  On  both  Sides  there 
is  an  equal  Impreffion  of  Air,  and  confequently  you  ob- 
ferve,  both  on  the  one  and  the  other,  alraoft  an  equal 
Quantity  of  Branches ;  and  as  thofe  on  the  right  Side  fill 
a  Space  equal  to  that  on  the  left,  the  whole  Bafe  is  there-., j 
fore  very  near  parallel  to  the  Horizon,  and  almoft  equi-  ! 
diHant  from  the  Earth,  in  every  Part.       For   the   fame  i 
Reafon,  if  the  Walnut-Tree  on   the  Slope   of  the  Hill, 
ihoots  forth  fix  hundred  Buds,  on  the  upper  Side,  by  Vir- 
tue of  the  Impulfe  of  fix  Columns   of  Air,  it  muft  ne- 
cefiarily  unfold   a  thoufand  Buds,  on  the  lower  Side  by^ j 
the  Tmpreflion  often  Columns :  And  this  fide  undgubtedly  1 
producing  more  Buds,  the  Branches,  which  are  their  OfF- 
Ipring,  will  poflefs  more  Space  than  thofe  above, and  there- 
fore, fhooting  into  a  proportionable  Extent,   they  will  ap- 
proach as  near  to  the  Earth  as  tliofe  on  the  upper  Side ;  and,, 
confequently,  'tis   altogether  as  natural   for  the  Bafe   of,., 
thofe  Branches  that  grow  on   a  Slope,  to  correfpond  with 
its  Obliquity,   as  it  is  for  the  Eafe  of  fuch  Branches  as- 
grow  on  a  Level,  to  be  as  even  and  horizontal  as  the  Soit  i 
ever  which  they  ?.re  diffufed. 

Prior.  The  more  fimple  the  Confequences  are,  and 
the  more  r^tural  the  Applications  that  refult  from  our 
Conjedure,  the  eafier  ic\vill  be  received.  You  fee,  Cht-r- 
waiter,  tWQ  dead  Trees  at  the  Entrance  into  the  Or- 
chard :  Perhaps  what  we  have  advanced,,  will  enable  us  to 
guefs  at  the  Caufe  of  their  Diitemper  and  Death.  One 
TK  pff  Ac  nf  15  intirely  covered  wii^n  Mofs,  which  is  a 
MaLud^um,  Plant  tuat  grows  on  Tre..  and  fhoots  out 
a  prcdigious  Number  of  ittle  Roots  and. 
Bmches;  The  other  Tree  was  kUled  by  belps  buned  un- 


Of  P-' L  A  N"  T  S.  if 5 

er  the  Ruins  of  a  Wall  wjiich  was  afterwards  rebuilt.  But 
herein  can  Mofs  ?.nd  Earth  be  injurious  to  Plants  ? 

Chevalier,  'Tis  evident  that  the  little  Roots  and  Branches 
f  Mofs,  by  almoil  covering  the  Tree  from  Top  to  Bottom,, 
ive  clofed  all  the  Air-VefTels  and  con fequently  rendered 
le  Tree  incapable  of  Refpiration  ;  and  when  the  Air  cea» 
s  to  operate  upon  it,  no-  more  Sap  caa  be  expeded. 

Countefs,  ""Th  altogether  as  plain  too,  that  if  the  fuper- 
jous  Juices  tranfpi re  through  the  Bark,  this  Tree  which 
IS  been  thus  buried,  mull  be  killed  by  the  Stagnation  of 
le  Sap.     Mofs  likewife  will  occafion  the  fame  injurious- 

ffea 

Prior.  If  the  little  we  know,  of  the  Ufa  andCorrefpon- 
mce  of  the  inward  Parts  of  Plants,  be  fufficient  to  iill  us 
ith  Admiration,  what  will  cur  AHonirhment  be,,  whea^ 
e  come  to  confider  their  Fecundity  I  Their  Roots,,  their 
em,  all  the  fmalleft  Branches,  the  Generality  of  their 
lowers,  their  whole  Syilem  of  Seeds,  are  impregnated 
ith  Buds  without  Number.  A  fingle  Tree,  a  fmgle 
ranch,  nay,  a  fmgle  Seed,  is  fufficient  to  communicate  a 
5ecies  to  the  whole  Earth,  through  the  SuccelTion  of  all 
ges.  This  Fertility  has  the  Air  of  a  perfect  Pmdigy, 
id,  if  we  cught  to  be  afi'edled  at  the  Excellence  of  the 
ifts  we  receive  from  the  Deity,  I  think  the  Profufion- 
ith  which  he  bellows  tliem,  Ibould  gixve  us  the  fame  Im- 
efiions.  Ke  has  not  only  been  pleafed  to  grant  us  the 
)ireliion  of  this  or  that  beneficial  Plant,  but  has  likewife 
ilFd  and  preordained,  that  Mankind  iliall  never  be  deili- 
te  of  them,  whatever  Accident  may  happen. 
Count efs.  Not  long  ago,  we  had  the  Company  of  a^ 
entleman  of  excellent  Undeiflandlng,  who  attempted 
count  the  Seeds  in  one  of  the  Branches  of  a  young  Elm, 
hich  had  been  planted  twelve  Years ;  and  forming  a 
idgment  of  eight  other  principal  Branches,  by  what  he 
fcovered  in  this ;  and  computing  the  Produce  of  an  hun- 
ed  Years,  by  that  of  one,  his  Calculation  amounted  to 
iilions  and  Myriads  bf  Millions  of  Seeds  *.  He  likewife- 
unted  all  the  Bads  that  were  vifible,  and  in  a  Condition^ 

produce  new  Branches  in  one  Year  ;  aad  then  adding 

*  Memoirs  de  i'Acad.  des  Scienc.  M,  Dodarti  1700.  and  Kicu- 
intyt  Kiii. 

N  6  them 


.2  7  5 


DIALOGUE    XIV, 


them  to^  thole  that  would  be  the  Produ6l  of  a  Century,  and 
at  the  fame  Time,  including  fucli  as  at  prefent  remained^ 
lafelefs  in  every  Part  of  the  Tree,  for  want  of  the  neceflary 
preparations  for  their  fprouting  forth,  he  made  a  Compu« 
tation  perfectly  flupendous,  and  very  jadicioufly  concluded: 
that  not  only  the  Marks  of  Wifdom  and  Power,  but,  if 
we  may  prefume  on  the  ExprelTion,  the  Traces  of  Infinity 
kfelf  were  imprefled  on  all  the  Works  of  the  Deity. 

Prior,  Thefe  Truths  are  wortliy  our  highed  Admira^^- 
tion  and  Reverence.    They  aftonifh  us^  becaufe  our  Facul- 
ties are  limited ;  but  it  is  good  to  have  an  imperfedt  View 
of  them,  that  we  may  be  ienfible  of  our  own  Infufficiency ; 
aiid  where  do  we  not  m^et  with  Opportunities  for  fuch  a 
C.©nvidion  .?  'Tis  not  only  the  immenfe  Number  of  Seeds 
in  a  Plant   that  confounds    our  Imagination;    a   fmgle; 
Flower,  even  in  its  vifible  Exterior,  and  which  we  behold' 
opening  in  a  Morning,    and  fading  at  Night,  prefents  us^ 
with  the  Traces  of  a.  Wifdom,  to  v/hich  neither  our  Eyesj 
Bor  Reafon  are  capable  of  attaining.     It  was  the  Deity'sv 
cxprefs  Intention  to    overwhelm  us  with  this  Species  ofi 
infinity,  that  unfolds  itfelf  in  all  his  Works,  and  even  ia.;i 
the  mimiteft  Creatures,  to  keep  our  Underflandings  in  Sul> 
jedion  to  that  Infinity  v/hich  Ihines  in  his  Eflence,  his  At- 
tributes, his  Providence,  his  Operations  and  Myfteries. 

Countefs,    It  is  very  certain  that  a  Flower,  which  feems^ 
fuch  a  common  Objed,  comprehends   not  only  Beauties^ 
but  e¥en  Advantages  and  admirable  Defigns.     I  always 
confidered  a  Flower  a^  a  Work  in  Miniature,  created  to. 
entertain  the  Eye  with  amiable  Colours,  and  fometimes  to.' 
xjefrefii  the  Smell  with  fragrant  Exhalations,  and  that  was 
the  utmoil  of  my  Coaception  :     But  my  Calculator  fur-^ 
prized  me  exceedingly,  when  he  acquainted  me,  that  the 
jjlower   was  not   only  the  Sheath  and  Covering  of  the. 
.Fruity,  but  that  even  every  Part  of  that  Flower  was  necef- 
fary,,  in  order  to  give  the  P^ruit  its  Fornnation  and  Shape; 
and  I  fhall  never  forget  his  *  ingenious  Explanation  of  all 
^hefe  Particulars.      We  Women,    who    have.feldom  the 
Advantages  of  any  great  Inilru6lion,.  are  fometimes  miuch 
more  aflonifhed  tfein  your  Sex  at  a  new  Difcovery,  and 

*  Samuel  Morlaaid  tranfa^.  phil.  11,287.     ^^/s  Hift.  cf  Plania. 

eajily 


.    0/ PL  ANTS  277 

?afily  retain  it,  becaufe  we  are  not  fubjed  to  the  ConMoa 
a  Number  of  Sciences  might  occafion. 

There  are  feme  Flowers,  faid  the  Gentleman  of  whom 
I  am  fpeaking,    that  are  furnifhed  with  a  large  and  com- 
mon Cup,  fuch  for  Inftance,  as  Poppies  and  Carnations : 
There  are  others  which  have  none,  and  thefe  are  Tulips, 
Anemonies,  and  feveral  more.     But  all.  Flowers,   or  at 
leafl   the   greateft  Number,    have  Petals,    or  Leaves,  Pif- 
tils.  Tops,  and  Chives.     The  Leaves  are        ^j^^   j^^^^^g 
a  kind  of  a  Palifade,  with  which  Na-ture     of  a  Flower. 
has  encompafTed  the  Heart  of  the  Flower, 
to  cover  it  as  there  may  be  Occafion.     Thefe  Flowers^ 
open  at  the  Rifing  of  the  Sun,  to  receive  the  Heat ;    and 
clofe  up,  fome  more,  others  lefs,  at  the  Approach  of  Rain 
or  Night,  to  keep  off  Moiflure  and  Cold.     For  the  moil- 
Part  they  form  a  little  Vault,,  which  inclofes  the  Seeds,., 
and  feems,  with  a  kind  of  Confcioufnefs,  to  preferve  the 
Grains  configned  to  its  Care  *  .     The  Petals  perform  th^ 
fame  Fmiclions  to  the  Flower  as  the  Leaves  render  to  the- 
Plant  V    and   ail  the  Particles   of  Air,  Water,    and  Fire^ 
too-ether  with  the  a£live  Salts  and  Spirits  that  operate  in 
the  Leaves,  are  infmuated  into  their  Subllance,.  thro'  the 
Pores  that  open  on  their  Surfaces.  The  Seed 
is  fhut  up  in  one  or  more  Piftils,  which  are       The  Piftil. 
fo  many  little  Purfes  placed  in  the  Centre 
of  the  Flower.     The  Chives  are  Fibres,  or      The  Chivej*. 
little  Pillars,  which  rife  to  the  Height  of 
die  Piitils,  and  fuftain  the  Tops ;  and  thefe.      The  Tops. 
Tops  are  a  kind  of  Pendants,,  or  hollow  . 

Shells,  filled  with  a  fine  Powder  of  the  Nature,  of  Rofin  :. 
When  they  are  ripe,  they  let  this  Powder  fall  through 
different  Strainers,  into  the  Cup  of  the  Flower,  and  parti- 
cularly on  the  upper  Part  of  the  Piftil,  which  1?  Ihagged 
with  Points,  and  coverM  with  a  gummy  Juice,  as  well  as 
pierced  with  little  Holes,  that  it  may  the  better  receive 
and  detain  the  Powder.  The  Points  and  the  Oil  flop  the 
Grains  of  this  Powder,,  and  the  Openings  facilitate  its 
PafTage  to  the  Seed ;  but  if  thefe  PafTages,  in  the  P.iilil,  are 
too  narrow  to  admit  the  Grains  of  Powder  into  their  Va^ 

*  Perhaps,  they  ar«.  the  Ome  to  Fruits^^  a^  the  feminalXeaves  are  to 
a  yourg  Plaau  '    .   , 


278         DIALOGUE    XIV. 

cuity,  we  may  then  fuppofe,  that  thefe  minute  Grains  coir-' 
Ititute  thofe  Inclofures  which  contain  and  evacuate  a  finer 
and  more  deJicate  Subflance. 

Tlie  minute  Grains,  or  globular  Particles  of  Wax.  are 
fixed,  perliaps.  around  tiie  Piftil,  and  at   the  Bottom   of 
!<  lowers,  wiule  the  Juices  or  Spirits  with  which  thefe  are 
impregnated,  are  transfufed,  thro'  the  Pores  of  the  Pillil 
to  the  Grains   which  then  receive  the  imparted  Fecundity' 
It  IS  not  yet  known,  whether  the  Power  contains  the  Buds 
that  are  to  be  mfinuated  into  the  Seed,  or  whether  each 
beed  contains  in  itfelf  one  or  more  Buds,  of  which  the- 
neareft  to  the  Aperture  of  the  little  Purfe,  is  drenched  and 
rendered  prolific    by  the  enlivening  Spirit  that  flows  from 
the  Powder.     I  Ihall  be  very  cautious   of  taking  any  Part 
w  the  Difputfs  of  Botanifts,  and  what  we  have  already 
advanced  01,  the  Subjeft  before  us,  amounts  to  no  more 
than  faying,    that  the  Flower  opens-  only   to  ripen  the 
the^Powder,    and  that  this  is  the  proliiic  Principle  of  the 

If  immoderate  Rains  in  the  Spring  ihould  wafh  away 
this   Powder,   no  Produce  can   be  expefted.      When  the 
proper  Seafon  for  the  Flower  proves  unequal,  and  either 
tne  Ram  bears  away   the  Powder,  or   the  Cold  fhuts  up 
the  Orifices  of  the  Caskets  that  contain  the  Seeds,   few  or 
none  of  the.e  precious  Particles  enter  into  theie  Caskets  or 
fni   h'  J%g^^^f«(tP^«/f  the  Seeds    continues    barren, 
and  the  Piodud  is  inconfiderable.     What  I  now  tell  you 
IS  equally  true  with  refpecl  to  tJ.c  BlolToms  of  the  Vine 
and  Corn,  as  it  is  ivith  regard  to  thofe  of  Trees  and  the 
imalleft  Plants.     But  when  the  Seafon  proves  favourable 
and  only  a  tew  Grains  of  the  Powder  well  ripened  Ihould 
tall  into  the  Orifice  of  each  particular  Seed,  thele  all   b°- 
come  fruitful,  and  the  Year  is  attended  with  Plenty      The 
ether  Grains  of  this  Powder,  which  are  innumerable,   are 
not  lo.t,  for  they  furnilh  the  Bees  with  tJieir  Wax,  and  a 
Numoer  of  Infers  refbrt  to   them  for  their  Food,  or  c- 
ttiei-  tonvcniencies  unknown,  to  us.      But  the  Chva/Ur 
S  Yea?  ^^'  ^^'  ''"^^  '^""S5  in  ^^^  Spring  of 

Th«   Tuhp.         ^^  ^^^  Tulip,  for  Inilance,  which  opens 
to  the  Sky,  the  Chives  rife  higher  than  the 

Piftil, 


Of  PLANTS.  279 

Iftil,  that  the  Tops  fxiay  povvder  It,   either  by  letting  fall 
r  fuffering  the  Wind  to  blow  their  little  Dull  upon  it :: 
)n  the  contrary,  with  refpecl  to  the  Impe- 
ial  Lilly,    whofe  Cup  turns  downwards ;        The  Impe- 
nd  the  Common  Lilly,  and  the  Honey-     ^^J^  ^.e 
ickle,    whofe  Flowers   bend  extremely,     The  Honey.- 
lould  the  Pillil  be  Ihorter  thanthe  Chives,     buckle. 
:is    evident  that  the  Powder  would  fall 
rom   the  Tops  to  the  Earthy  and  be  intirely  ufelefs  to 
he  Seed  inclofed  in   the  Piftil ;  whereas,  if  the  bent  Piftil 
>e  longer  than  the  Chives,  the  Dull,  in   that  cafe,  in  its. 
)efcent  from  the  7'ops,  will  meet  with  Extremity  of  the 
'iftil,  and  enter  into  it  without  any  Difficulty  ;    and  this 
s  Nature's  Arrangement  of  the  Flowers. 

Chevalier,     Here  is    a  Turnfole,    Ma-        ^j^^   rj.^^^^ 
lam,  will  your  Ladyihip  oblige  me  with  a     f^le. 
>ight  of  the  Particulars  yoa  have  been  de- 
eribing? 

Countefs.     With    a  great  deal  of  Pleafure,  Sir,  Thefe 
arge  verdant  Suns  contain  as  many  Piftils  as  Seeds.     A-^ 
Dove  each  particular  Seed  a  little  Cup  rifes,  in  the  middle 
Df  which  is  a  kind  of  Bag  of  a  brown  Colour,  and  full 
-^i^  a  yellow  Powder  :    Each  of  thefe  Bags  performs  the 
Office  of  a  Chive  and  Top  to  the  Seed  which  is  beneath.- 
Thro'  the  Bag  rifes  a  little  Tube,  whofe  Bottom  joins  to. 
:he  Seed,   and  its  Top  is  Ihagged  with  Hair,   for  the  Pre- 
fervation  of  the  Powder :    This  Tube  likewife  opens  at 
the  Top  to  receive  the  Powder,  and  fplits  into  two  Points : 
When  it  has  performed  its  Office,,  the  Points  rife  and  fold 
over  one  another  ;  after  which,  they  become  dry  and  ufe- 
lefs. 

Some  Plants  are  to  be  fee n,  in  which  the  common  Or- 
der of  Vegetation  is  inverted ;  as  particularly,  that  Plant 
whofe  Leaves  are  fo  prodigioufly  large,  and  which  pro- 
duces a  very  purgative  Seed,  called  Falfe  p^j^^^  Chrifti. 
Coffee.;  if  you  pleafe  we  will  approach  it. 
1  he  Piilils  are  formed  in  Cluilers,  on  thjs  Top  of  the: 
Flowers,,  and  the  Packets  of  Powder  are  placed  below^. 
When  thefe  Packets  are  ripe,  and  burll,  a  Steam,  of 
Powder  rifes  from  them,  and  di&fes  itfelf  thro*  the  Air. 
The  little  red  Tufts^  in  which  the  Piilils  terminate,, 
lengthen,  in  order  to  check  the  Fall  of  the  Powder ;  by 

which 


28o         DIALOGUE    XIV. 

which  means  the  Fruit,  contained  in  the  Piftils,  receives  it*-- 
Fecundity.  ' 

^u    ^-    ^  Some    Plants    have    no   other   Flowers 

The  F:g-Tree.     than  thofe  of  their  own  Fruit,  as  the  Fig- 
_  Tree,  where  all  t!.e  Kernels  that  are  in  the 

Fig   are  charged  and   accompanied  with   their  Chives,. 
the^rTops,   and  their  Powder,    under    a  common  Inclo-: 

The  Pompion.         There  are  other  Plants  on  which  we  dif- 
The  Melon.         cover  two  Sorts  of  Flowers,   feparated  on' 

the  fame  Stem,  as  Pompions  and  Melons. 
Gardeners  give  the  Name  of  real  Flowers,  to  thofe  which 
contam  the  Fruit,  and  call  thofe  falfe,  which  inclofe  their 
Powder  m  a  Bag  placed  in  the  middle  of  the  Flower,  and 
out  of  which  this  Powder  efcapes  thro*  three  or  four  re- 
markable Openmgs.      The  Gardeners  generally  pick  off 
thefe   pretended  Flowers,  which  is  a  very  good  Method- 
when  their  Produce  is  certain,   and  the  Melons  are  com- 
pleatly  formed,  becaufe  they  husband  the  Sap  by  this  Be- 
trenchnient  J  but  they  deceive  themfelves  extremely,  when 
they  deftroy  thefe  falfe  Flowers  at  their  firft  Appearance 
becaufe  they  contain  the  genial  Powders,  without  which, 
the  other  P  lowers  that  produce  the  Fruit  are  incapable  of 
any  fertility;  and  we  had  once  a  Gardener,  who,  by  an 
improper  Officioufnefs,  in  plucking  off  thefe  falfe  Flowers 
deprived  us  of  all  the  Fruit. 

The  Gentleman  from  whom  I  had  all  thefe  Parti-' 
culars,  gave  me  an  Opportunity  of  obferving,  that  fe- 
veral  other  Plants  as  well  as  the  Pompion,  had  two  Sorts- 
of  Flowers  on  the  fame  Stalk ;  and,  during  his  Con- 
tinuance here,  made  us  fenfible  of  the  Truth  of  his  Ob- 
fervat.ons,  which  vve  fomid  to  be  facl  with  refped  to 
Vll^e^Trets  '''^'^^^'    '^^^  Mulberry    and- 

He  afterward  informed  uf,  that  other  Plants  bore  the 
FruK-t  lowers  on  one  Stem,  and  the  Flowers  out  of  which 
thePifols  fpring,  on  another,  of  which  Sort  are  the  Palm- 
iree,    the  Hop,   and  feveral  others. 

^^t^^fr^  ^".  ^^'-^t  her  Ladylhip  has  related  charm, 
me  w  th  Admiration;  but  I  find  it  difficult  to  comprehend 
how  the  Seeds  fliould  be  on  one  Ste^,  and  the  Rowers  cJ 
rowder  on  another,. 

Comitefs, . 


-O/  PL  ANTS.  281 

'Countefs.  This  is  what  I  fee  daily,  therefore  don't  be 
icredulous. 

Chevalier.  Why  then  do  they  make  a        pj^^^^  j^^j^ 
eft  of  thofe  People,    who  fay  Plants  are     and  Femak. 
iale  and  Female  ? 

Coimtefs,  Let  us  take  a  Walk  over  the  Bridge,  to 
lofe  People  who  have  been  gathering  Hemp;  a  fmgle 
nftance  will  evince  to  you  the  Reality  of  all  the  refV. 
lere  are  two  Sorts  of  Hemp  expofed  to  the  Sun  ;  in  one 
f  which  you  fee  the  Flowers  are  dried,  and  it  is  that 
/hich  has  been  gathered  for  fome  time ;  the  other  is  Hill 
;reen,  and  there  you  fee  feveral  Bunches  of  Seed  under 
he  Leaves.  The  Stalk,  which  produced  the  Flower,  was 
he  talieft  at  firft,  that  the  Powder  which  fell  from  die 
•lowers  might  be  received  by  the  Seeds,  which  were  then 
odged,  much  lower,  on  the  other  Species.  The  Flower- 
terns  having  performed  their  Fundions,  begin  to  wither, 
.nd  they  have  been  gathered  and  feparated  from  the  o- 
hers,  to  keep  the  People  employed,  'till  that  Produce 
vas  com  pleated. 

Che^ualier,  Madam,  I  acknowledge  myfelf  a  Con- 
^rt. 

Comtefs,  Pray  let  me  know ,  which  of  thefe  two 
jpecies  you  would  call  the  Male,  and  which  the  Fe- 
nale  ? 

Che^valier.  I  Ihould  call  the  Male,  that  Growth  which 
produces  the  Flowers,  and  is  at  prefent  much  ihorter  than 
:hen  other,  and  dries  firft  ;  and  I  ihould  give  the  Name 
5f  Female,  to  that  which  bears  the  Seeds ;  and  furely  thi? 
mull  be  the  Fad. 

Coutitefs.  I  find  y^u  would  place  Things  in  a  right 
Order,  and,  give  them  their  proper  Names.  But,  for  all 
this,  the  Country  People  have  thought  fit  to  give  the 
Name  of  Female,  to  the  Hemp  which  produces  the 
Flowers,  and  is  fooneft  dry  ;  and  they  call  that  the  Male 
which  bears  the  Seed,  and  for  no  other  reafon,  but  becaufe 
the  Thread  they  fpin  from  the  firil  Growth  is  fner,  and 
the  other  more  conipad  and  itrong.  When  you  are  in 
their  Company,  you  muft  talk  like  them,  or  they  will 
never  underftand  you  :  But  a  Philofopher,  or,  in  other 
Words,    the  Chevalier,  is  at  liberty  to  think   differently 

from  the  Vulgar. 

Chevalier, 


282  DIALOGUE    XIV. 

Chevalier,  Your  Ladyfhip  will  fep  what  a  PKilorophei 
I  am :  I  have  not  the  leait  Knowledge  of  the-  Ufe  of  thi; 
Plant,  and  don't  difcover  any  Similitude  between  thei 
Hemp  in  thefe  Fields,  and  that  which  I  have  feen  fpun 
and  workVi  into  Cloth:  Will  your  Ladyfhip  be  plcafed  to 
explain  this  to  me  ? 

Countefs.  I  invite  thefe  Gentlemen  to  entertain  the 
Cheyalier,  tO-morrow,  with  the  moll  curious  Plants  of 
which  they  have  any  Knowledge ;  for,  amongil  fuch  a 
vaft  number,  they  ought  to  fix  on  Particulars :  And  I  dare 
fay,  they  will  fearch  all  Jfia  and  America,  for  every, 
thing  fmgular  and  uncommon.  For  my  Part,  I  don*t  in- 
tend to  wander  far  from  my  own  Garden,  though  I  may 
happen  to  prefent  you  with  fomething  more  extraordinary 
than^  any  Plants  that  are  mofl  celebrated  by  Foreigners, 
and  It  fhall  be  nothing  but  Hemp:  This  I  referve  for  ftiy 
Subjed,  and  our  Converfation  to-morrow  will  tura  once; 
more  on  Diilaffi, 


D  I  A   L  O  G  U  B^ 


0/ PLANTS.  283 


Dialogue    XV- 

l^he  Co  u  N  T,  and  Countess. 
TheV  Ri  o  R,  and 
The  Chevalier. 


>«^//?/. /CHEVALIER,  it  is  not  any  Compliment, 
\_j  when  I  ailure  you  that  the  fudden  Notice  of 
^our  Departure  gives  me  a  real  Concern.  The  new  Alliance 
n  your  Family  is  a  very  advantageous  Affair,  and  I  am 
enfible  it  is  abfolutely  neceffary  for  you  to  affift  at  thej 
Ceremony ;  but  I  flatter  myfelf  with  the  Pleafure  of  your 
::ompany,  till  the  End  of  September,  and  now  all  our 
Schemes  are  difconcerted :  Adieu  to  Fifhing,  Hunting, 
md  the  new  Academy. 

Chevalier,  The  laft  Article  gives  me  the  greatefl  Pain, 
Dne  may  be  entertain'd  with  Hunting  and  Fifhing  in 
jvery  Place,  but  I  can  no  where  enjoy  fuch  Converfation 
IS  I  am  favoured  with  in  this  Place. 

Count,  Ah,  Che'valier  I  we  are  indulging  the  ceremo-' 
lious  Strain.  We  mufl  banilh  all  that  from  our  Aca- 
iemy. 

Count efs.  Very  well.  Your  Lordfhip  makes  Regula- 
:ions,  when  the  Academy  is   at  an  End. 

Count,  At  an  End  !  I  rather  take  it  to  be  only  in  its 
Urn  Ellablifhment,  and  that  our  Affembly  will  be  renew- 
ed every  Year,  in  September- ,  Is  not  this  your  Opinion, 
Che^valier  P 

Chevalier,  I  am  only  apprehenfive  of  one  Inconve- 
nience ;  and  that  i$>  I  fhall  be  wifhing  eleven  Months  for 
September, 

Count* 


284  DIALOGUE    XV. 

Count,  Your  Difpofition  is  fo  well  known  to  me,  thaC 
1  am  perfuacled  you  will  do  every  thing  with  Elegance 
and  I'aile.  That  polite  Literature  to  which  you  are  go-' 
ing  to  devote  yonr  Attention,  is  all  together  as  entertain- 
ing and  ufefal  as  Natural  Hifiory,  which,  at  prefent,  is 
not  fo  necefTaiy  for  you  to  be  inflrm^ed  in  ;  and  I  only 
recommend  it,  as  an  Amiifement  to  you  in  your  Vacati- 
ons. But  whilfc  we  are  in  Expetlation  of  your  Return,  the: 
Prior  and  myfelf  will  sketch  out  the  Subjedls  of  our  future 
Entertainments ;  I  leave  the  Choice  intirely  to  him,  and. 
we  may  very  well  depend  on  his  Judgment. 

Che^-jalier,  How  happy  are  we  in  the  Country  I  and  in-  ■ 
deed  v^'e  might  be  fo  in  Town  could  we  enjoy  what  is  to  be : 
attained  here. 

Ptior,  Let  us  be  more  conformable  to  the  Lav/s  of  our : 
Society,     No  Compliments  I   entreat   you.     Academies,. 
like  ourfeives,  never  meet  to  admire  one  another.     We 
come  here  to  be  entertained  with  what  her  Ladyihip  pro- 
niifed  yeilerday. 

Qountefsy  You  mull  allow  the  Che^alkr  to  give  yoit- 
this  Inllance  of  his  obliging  Temper,  fince  you  are  under, 
no  Neceffity  of  being  in  much  hurry  for  the  Amufement  I" 
promifed  you  ;  for/in  fliort,  it  is  nothing  more  than  Thread 
and  Hemp,  \ 

Prior.  We  don't  think  the  Subject  at  all  trivial :  and' 
whatever  is  ufeful  to  us,  is  more  neceffary  to  be  known, 
than  any  thing  that  paffes  in  Jupiter  or  the  Moon.     Th«. 
mofl  fhining  Speculations,    and  the  Choice  of  Subjects  in- 
tirely foreign  to  us,  are  net  attended  with  the  moll  profita*- 
ble  Confequences ;  And  I  am  better  pleafed  with  *  Monfieur 
P^eau?nur,  when  he  is  contriving  to  deftroy  the  Moths  in 
our  Tapellry,  and  the  Vermin  in  our  Houfes,  with  Oil  of 
Turpentine,  and  the  Fumes  of  Tobacco,    than  I  am  with 
Moniieur  Bernoulli,  wrapp'd  up  in  his  Algebra,  or  Monfieur 
Leibnitz,  combining  the  Benefits  and   Inconveniencies   of 
polTible  Worlds.     Mull  we  always  be  a  thoufand  Leagues 
ftom  the  rell  of  our  Fellow-creatures,  in  order  to  be  ratio- 
nal and  learned  ?  For  my  Part,  I  think,  on  the  contrary, 
that  a  Philofopher  cannot  make  his  Studies  too  intelligible 
to  Mankind,  or  employ  himfelf  in  any  thing  better,  than 

*  Memoir  de  I'Acad.  de  Scienc.  ijzZ* 

acquiring 


0/ PLANTS.  285 

cqulring  a  right  Apprehenfion  of  thofe  Objed.'^  that  fur- 
ound  him,  and  in  which  he  has  any  particular  1  terefl. 

Countefs,    It  is   diverting  enough   in  the  pj^^  ^    ^^^ 

^rior,  to  rank  me  among  the  Phiio%hers,  Kemp. 
nd  make  what  I  have  to  fay  on  Hemp, 
ais  for  important  Learning,  when  my  Obfervations  are 
iken  from  the  Peafants,  who,  in  thefe  Particulars,  are 
ur  Mafl^rs  :  However,  Til  undertake  the  Province,  but 
lull  defire  you  to  remember,  this  is  the  Philofophy  of  a 
location. 

Flax  may  be  ranked  in  the  fame  Clafs  with  Hemp ; 
nd  tho'  it  be  much  Ihorter,  and  abundantly  finer,  it  is  a 
lant  pretty  much  of  the  fame  Nature,  and  employed  in 
lore  beautiful  Manufactures.  When  the  Hemp  and  Flax 
ave  been  gathered,  which  is  doae  by  plucking  them  from 
le  Earth,  the  Stalks  are  expofed  to  the  Sun,  in  order  to 
ipen  the  Seeds,  which  are  afterwards  threfhed  out  of  the 
leads,  and  then  the  Stalks  are  tied  up  in  Bundles,  and 
eepM  in  a  Handing  Water  (the  cleareft  is  always  the  bell) : 
'hey  are  faftened  to  Poles,  and  left  to  foak,  about  fifteen 
)ays.  When  the  Subflance  of  the  Stalks  is  almoft  rottea, 
leBundles  are  taken  out,  and  well  dried.  But,  inftead 
f  fteeping  the  Flax  in  a  Handing  Water,  it  is  ufually  ex- 
ofed  to  the  moill  Air  of  the  Night,  and  the  Heat  of  the 
un,  alternately,  by  which  it  receives  a  finer  Colour, 
i^'hen  the  Flax  and  Hemp  are  well  penetrated,  and  after- 
ward compleatly  dried,  they  are  bruifed,  by  Handfuls,  on 
Block,  with  a  kind  of  Mallet ;  all  the  Bullen,  which  is 
le  inward  Subfiance  of  the  Stem,  flies  off  in  fhivers,  by 
le  Force  of  the  Blows,  and  nothing  remains  in  the  Hand 
r  the  Beater,  but  the  thin  Bark  difingaged  ^  in  large 
'hreads  through  the  whole  Length  of  the  Stem .  This  Parcel 
■  Threads  is  afterwards  hung  on  a  perpendicular  Board, 
id  bruifed  with  a  wooden  Beetle,  in  order  to  Ihake  out  all 
le  little  Strav/s  that  may  happen  to  remain  in  the  Bullen. 
.11  the  grofs  Parts  are  now  feparated  from  the  Stem,  and 
le  Threads  of  the  Bark,  that  remain  in  the  Hand  of  the 
lanufadlurer,  are  intirely  pure,  and  receive  their  Perfeftion 
qm  the  Comb ;  or,  in  other  Words,  they  are  drawn,  firft 
iFough  large  Cards  or  Iron  Teeth,  and  afterwards  through 
:hers  that  are  liner,  that  they  may  be  purified  from  what- 
rer  may  be  ilill  too  thick  and  grofs.     This  Rdufe  is 

what 


286         DIALOGUE    XV. 

what  they  call  Tow,  of  v/hich  Ma,tches  for  the  ArtillJ^ 
are  made,  and  likewife  a  thick  Yarn  for  packing  Clotli, 
whofe  Uf^fulnefs  is  infinite,  fince  they  wrap  up  and  p|^ 
ferve  the  moit  valuable  Commodities,  in  their  Tranfpon. 
tion  from  one  Cour:  ry  to  another. 

When  the  Hemp  has  been  thus  prepared,  it  is  tied  li 

in  Bundles,  to  be  icat  to  the  Rope-yards;  but  if  it  pro! 

fine,  and  is  .or  the  Spinller  and  Weaver^  it  is  formed  in 

Tv/ilh  ;  and  now   we  ccme,   at  laft,  to  the  DiftafF  ai 

Spindle.        on  imile,  Gentlemen,  but   I  ihali  foon  mal 

you  fenfibie  of  the  Value   of  what  you  fo  much  defpil" 

Suppofe,  only  for  a  Moment,  that  you  were  three  Jme? 

cans,  three  Iroquois,  or,  if  you  think   fit,  three  C^h!e/l\ 

no  matter  which,  be  fo  good  as  not  to  be  offended  at  t\ 

Suppofition.     What  would  your  Aftonifhment  be,  were 

to  inform  you,   that   our  Europe  produces  a  little  Plan 

whofe  Fruit  is  an  excellent  Nouriihment  to  feveral  Bird; 

affords  a  kind  of  Bread  good  to  fatten  large  Cattle,  ar 

produces  an  Oil  that  illuminates  innumerable  Families  j 

the  Night;    that,  inftead  of  the  Men,  tht  Eu?vpea;2  Wi 

men  generally  work  off  the  Bark  of  this  Plant,  and  m; 

nufaaure  it   into  thofe   fpreading  Sails ,    by  the  Aid  ( 

which  our  Ships  tranfport  their  Merchandize  to  the  n 

nioteft  Parts  of  the  World,    and  convey  to  us  whatever  v\ 

want;    that  the  fame  Bark  is  worked  into  Cables,  ilron 

enough  to  bear  the  Weight  and  Force   of  Anchors,  an 

that  Ropes,    Pack-thread,   and  Girths  are  likewife  mad 

of  Its  Materials ;  that  all  thefe  are  of  conilant  and  univei 

ial  Ufe  m  Navigation,  Commerce,  Husbandry,  and  dc 

meflic  Affairs;    that,   with    this  very  Bark,  Houfes  ar 

made  to  fhelter  our  Soldiers ;  that  it  likewife  affords  us  th 

lineit  Ornament  for  our  Tables ;  that  we  alfo  form  it  int 

a  Drefs,  which  accommodates  us  Day  and  Night ;  is  per 

fedly  neat  and  convenient,  and  contributes  as  much  to  th. 

Health  of  our  Bodies,  as  theBaf^  itfelf,  to  which  it  nov 

fucceeds,  and  from  the  Trouble  and  Preparation  of  whicl 

It  intirely  difcharges  us ;    in   a  Word,  that  this  Bark,  ac 

cordmg  to  the  diiferent  Forms   given  it  by  Europeans  be 

comes  the  moil  ornamental  Habit  of  Kings,   and  furniih^i 

the  Husbandman  and  Shepherd  with  a  decent  Attire,  at  ?' 

very   inconfiderable  Expence ;    Thefe  are  the  Benefits  wd 

receive  from  this  Plant. 

Wei] 


0/  P  L  A  N  T  S.  287 

^^elJ  then,  don't  you  Gentlemen  of  the  new  World 
slleve  us  very  happy  in  ours,  to  have  Women  who  are  To 
extrous  at  the  Spindle  and  DiftaiF,  and  are  capable  of 
ilhioning  this  precious  Bark  ? 

Prior,  For  my  Part,  Madam,   I,  in  the  Chara61:er  of  a 
ood  Iroquois,  fhall  maintain  the  Honour  of  our  America. 
'ou  boaft  of  your  Hemp,  and  I  allovv'  it  to  be  fomething ; 
Lit  we  liave  three  Trees,  that  are,  at  leafl 
;  good  as  yours ;    one  creeps   en  Earth,     Three  Sorts  ot" 
ke  a  Vine;   the  fecond  is  thick,    like  a     Cotton  Trees, 
ufliy  Dwarf-Tree:  and  the  third  is  as  tall 
5  an  Oak :  All  the  three,  after  they  have  produced  very 
^autiful  Flowers,  are   loaded  with   a  Fruit  as  large  as  a 
i^'alnut,  and  whofe  outward  Coat  is  intircly  black.    This 
ruit,  v/hen  it  is  fully  ripe,  opens  and  difcovers   a  Down 
^'tremely  white,  and  wliich  is  called  Cotton.     They   fe- 
arate  the  Seeds  from  that,  by  a  Mill,  and  then  fpin  the 
'otton,  and  prepare  it  for  all  Sorts  of  f  ne  Works,  fuch  as 
tockings,   Waiilcoats,  Quilts,   Tapeflry,  Curtains,    and 
onveniencies   of  every  kind.     With  this  they  Kkewife 
lake  Muflin,  and  fometimes  mix  the  Cotton  with  WooU 
>metimes  with  Silk  and  Gold  itfelf     After  this  Account, 
m  your  Ladyfaip  9d\\  defpife  our  A?nerica  ? 

Countefs.  I  am  very  well  pleafed  with  it  for  producing 
Dur  Cotton.  But  are  you  Iroquois  the  People  who  pre- 
ire  it  ?  I  believe  they  are  ot}liged  to  our  Fingers  for 
lis. 

Count.  Since  the  Frior^  in  the  Quality  of  an  Iroquois^ 
as  taken  upon  him  to  be  an  Advocate  for  Cotton,  I  in- 
nd,  in  the  Character  of  a  Chinefe^  to  make  Cotton  like- 
ife  the  Claim  o{  AJla^  where  it  is  gathered,  and  where 
ley  manufadure  it  much  better  than  in  Europe.  And  I 
n  alfo  to  boaft  of  a  Plant  that  is  fiiii  more  admirable  ; 
mean  the  Aloe  of  China ^  to  which  your  ^he  Aloe  of 
art  of  the  World  can  produce  nothing  china, 
^mparable.  But  our  Aloe  muft  not  be  cou- 
)unded  with  that  Plant  *  which  bears  long  pointed 
eaves,  is  fo  very  flow  in  producing  ics  Flowers,  and  from- 
'hich  they  pretend  to  gather  Silk,  and  which  Plant  is 
jmmonly  one  of  the  Ornaments  of  cur  Druggiiis  Shops. 

*  D16lion.  Savari.    Pon>   Hiir.  des  Drogues* 

Our 


288  DIALOGUE    XV. 

Our  Aloe  is  a  Tree  as  tall  as  that  which  bears  Olives,  and 
of  the  fame  Shape  ;  under  its  Bark  it  contains  three  Sortd 
of  Wood ;  the  iirft  is  black,  folid  and  weighty  ;  the  fe 
cond  is  of  a  tawny  Colour,  and  as  light  as  rotten  Wood  ; 
the  third,  which  is  at  the  Heart,  has  a  very  llrong  but 
agreeable  Odour. 

The  firil  is  called  Eagle-^ood,  and  is  very  fcarce  ;  the 
fecond.  Wood  of  Calembouc  ;  it  is  brought  into  Europe^ 
and  efteemed  there  as  an  excellent  Drug;  it  burns  like 
Wax,  and,  when  thrown  into  the  Fire,  dilFufes  an  aroma- 
tic Scent.  The  Heart,  which  is  called  Wood  of  Calam- 
bac,  or  Tambac,  is  more  precious  in  the  Indies^  than 
Gold  itfelf.  It  is  ufed  for  perfuming  Habits  and  Apart- 
ments, and  is  a  Cordial  in  fainting  and  paralytic  Fits. 
And  in  this  Wood  they  likewife  fet  fome  of  the  mofl  pre- 
cious Jewels  of  the  Indies.  .Thefe  are  not  the  only  Ad- 
vantages of  our  Aloe:  The  Leaves  of  this  Tree  ferve  in- 
'ftead  of  Slates,  for  covering  Houfes;  they  are  alfo  formed 
into  the  Shape  of  Diflies  and  Plates,  and  when  they  have 
been  well  dried,  may  be  ufed  at  Table.  When  they 
are  llripped  of  their  Nerves  and  Fibres  betimes,  thefe  are 
manufadured  into  a  Thread,  ufed  in  the  fame  manner  as 
jour  Hemp.  The  Points  which  rife  on  the  Branches, 
lerve  for  Nails,  Darts,  and  Awls,  with  which  lall  the  7;/- 
dians  pierce  their  Ears,  when  they  defign  to  honour  the 
Devil  by  fome  extraordinary  Auflerities.  If  any  Cavity 
be  made  in  the  Tree  by  cutting  out  the  Buds,  a  fweet 
and  vinous  Juice  flows  from  the  Wound  in  a  prodigious 
Abundance ;  it  proves  a  very  pleafant  Liquor,  and,  after 
fome  Time,  changes  to  an  excellent  Vinegar.  The 
Wood  of  the  Branches  is  good  to  eat,  and  has  the  Fla- 
vour of  a  candy'd  Citron.  The  very  Roots  are  likewife 
ufeful,  and  Ropes  are  frequently  made  of  them.  In  a 
Word,  a  whole  Family  may  be  fupplied  with  Food,  a 
Habitation,  and  Rayment,  by  an  Aloe. 

Countefs,  I  confefs  this  is  a  very  valuable  Tree,  and 
happy  is  the  Perfon  who  can  pofTefs  one.  But  Hiilory 
tells  us,  there  are  but  few  of  the  Species.  As  to  any  o- 
ther  Particulars,  take  all  the  Aloes  together,  and  join  to 
tJiem  every  Cocoa-txzt  in  the  Indies,  of  which  fuch  Won- 
ders are  ilill  related,  and  the  Whole  will  be  nothing  com- 
parable  to  our  Hemp ;    becaufe  thofe  great  Trees  are  a 

long 


0/  PLAN  TS.  289 

ong  time  in  coming  to  Perfedion,  and  will  not  grow  in 
very  Soil ;  befide  which,  they  muft  be  deiboyed  before 
hey  can  be  ufeful ;  whereas  Hemp  thrives  in  all  Places ; 
,nd  as  it  is  fown  and  gathered  every  Year,  is  not  only 
itimable  for  its  excellent  Qualities,  but  fcill  more,  for 
hat  Abundance  which  nothing  can  equal,  and  which 
[lakes  it  the  Delight  of  the  Rich,  and  the  furefl:  Relief 

0  the  Poor. 

Prior.    Let  us  fairly  acknowledge,  that  her  Ladyfliip, 

1  chufmg  a  Plant  the  leail  alluring  to  the  Eye  or  Curioil- 
K,  has  fixed  upon  that  which,  next  to  Corn,  furnilhes 
Ian  kind  with  the  greateft  Number  of  real  Advantap-es 
nd  Accommodations.  *^ 

Count efs.  Let  us  know,  Chevalier,  what  Plant  you  de- 
lare  for.  You  may  chufe  one  that  is  foreign,  or  keep  to 
ie  Growth  of  your  own  Country,  as  you  pleafe.  You 
'hllofophers  are  Natives  of  all  Nations. 

Chevalier.  I  lliould  be  for  the  Plant  that         m.     o 
roduces  Sugar.  Canl 

Countefs,    Yoa   are   very  much  in    the 
light.     This  Plant,  which  we  want,    is  ... 

le  Riches  of  the  Country  where  it  grows, 
nd  furniflies  thofe  to  whom  it  is  imported,  with   a  thou- 
md  Advantages. 

Che'valier.  1  fhould  be  glad  to  know  the  Shape  of 
le  Plant,  and  in  what  manner  the  Sugar  is  extradled 
'om  it, 

Countefs.  I  freely  acknowledge  I  know  nothing  of  the 
latter.  Put  this  "Queilion  to  q\xx  Americans  here,  and 
ley    will    entertain   you   with  feveral  Novelties    about 

Prior,  Sugar  is  properly  nothing  more  than  the  Salt 
)und  in  the  Juice  or  Pith  of  a  Reed,  cultivated  in  the 
afi- Indies,  and  ftill  more  in  America.  A  Sugar-cane, 
hen  funk  in  a  Furrow  of  Earth,  ihoots  out  from  cacli 
r  its  Knots,  another  Cane,  which,  riling  to  the  Height  of 
ven  or  eight  Feet,  produces  a  Cluller  of  Leaves  very 
ike  ovr  Flags,  and  a  Sprig  terminating  in  a  Tuft,  almoll 
ke  c.  r  common  Reeds;  ours  are  only  useful,  by  being 
>metimes  formed  mto  very  pretty  DiftafFs :  but  the  Sugar- 
me  is  impregnated  with  a  delicious  Syrup.  Thefe 
'ubes  or  Canes  are  bruiied  under  the  Beam  of  a  Mill,  by 

O  the 


290         DIALOGUE    XV. 

the  Labour  of  thofe  unfortunate  Slaves,  whom  Merchants 

that  call  themfelves  Chriliians,  buy,  like  Horfes  or  Oxen 

at  Senegal,  and  in  the  Kingdoms  of  Guiney,   and  Angola 

The  Juice,  after  this,  is  boiled  fucceiTively  in  five  difFeren 

Kettles,  and  by  the  various  Changes  it  undergoes ,    th( 

.;Syrup  is  feparated  from  the  efientiai  Salt  it  contains.  ^   I 

was  formerly  thought  fufficient  to  begin  this  Separation 

and  fend  the  Sugar  from  the  Indies  to  liouen,  Orleans,  anc 

other  Places,  to  be  compleated :  But  is  now  tranfmitted  t( 

US  in  Loaves,  well  purified  and  refined.  This  is  the  Origii 

of  Sugar,  which  we  make  no  Scruple  to  prefer  to  Honey 

,fo  much  eileejcned  by  the  Antients.     We  are  no  longer  ii 

Pain,  at   the  Accidents  that    may  render  the  Labours  c 

Bees  unfuccefsful.     The  vafl  Pegions  and  Wands  m  rh 

Heart  of  the  torrid  Zone,  are  annually  covered  with  a 

Harveft  of  Canes,  out  of  which  the  Syrup  is  firil  extraded 

■and  aiterward  that  delicate  Salt  which  is  now  fo  univerfal 

ly  ufed  either  to  preferve  what  would  not  otherwife  keefj 

or  to  feafon  what  would  either  be  infipid  without  this  Ex 

pedient,    too  poignant  with  our   common  Salt,    or   dil 

agreeable  by  its  natural  Bitternefs. 

.     Chevalier,    I  am  ilrangely  furprifed  to  hear  of  Salt  in 
Plant. 

Fnor,  All  Plants  and  Bodies  have  their  Saltfi.     Whe 
the  Chymifts  make   a  Solution  of  a  Body  by  Fire,  the 

eonfrantly  find  more  or  lefs  Salts,  in  what  remains  aftc 
.the  Dilliliation.      The  Afnes  that  fall  from  the  Wood  w 

burn,  are  nothing  but  the  earthy  Parts,  and  the  Salt  of  th 

Plant  which  was'thrown  into  the  Fire. 

Count.  I  beg  we  may  have  no  more  Talk  of  Salts  an 

Chymiilry  till  the  next  Year,  and  let  us  not  fo  i^^^h  c 
;attempt  an   orderly  Detail  of  Plants  in  particular  :    W 

may  one  Day  take  a  curfory  View  of  medicinal  and  arc 

malic  Plants,  as  well  as  thofe  proper  for  making  Drint 
:in  daiiy  Ufc ;  Let  us  employ  the  Moments  that  are  left  i 
'this  Day,  in  a  flight  Examination  of  thofe  which  are  mo 

frequently  fpoken  of,  and  from  the  Knowledge  of  whic 

we  may  receive  the  greateft  Benefit. 

Chevalier,    I  (hould  be  glad  never  to  have  had   an 

Occafion  to  be  acquainted  with  Manna,  Rhubarb,  Ipecaa 

<^^9ia,  and  Quinquina,  but  I  know  the  Efficacy  of  tlie-; 
^^    ^  Medicme 


O/  PLANTS.  29, 

Medicines,  tho'  I  am  ignorant  of  theCountry  from  whence 
they  come. 

Count.   Manna  is  a  Sugar,  or  Soecies  of 
natural  Honey,  that  flaws  from  the  Leaves        ^^anw- 
of  the  Afti-tre?  in  Calabria,  at  the  Soutliern  Extremity  of 
Italy.     Thefe   kmds  of  Fluxions   are  frequent  *      The 
proper  Veffel  fupplies  all  Trees  with  this  Fluid;    but  our 
Linden  and  Poplar  Trees  are  all  covered,  efpecially  in  the 
bpring     with    a  gummy  Juice  that  tranfpires  thro'   the 
fores  of  their  fprouting  Leaves;  it  har  a  charming  Odour 
ivhich  feems,  by  its  Agreeablenefs,  to  promife  us  fome! 
thmg  advantageous;    and   perhaps,  the  Experience  of -"e 
may  _  one  Day  prompt  us  to  ufe  it.      'Tis  an  Opinfoit 
^hicn  begins  to  prevail,  and  cannot  be  too  popular,  that 
bod  has  rtored   every  Country  with  Remedies  for   the 
Uiltempers  incident  to  it,  and  that  we  have  a  Multitude 
5t   riants  around   us,    that  tender  us  their  Services ;  and 
3erhaps  had  we  lefs  Inattention  and  Impatience,  we  might 
lave  no  occafion  to  refort  to  foreign  Remedies,   which  ars 
lUvays  de,ir,  and  often  impaired  by  Age,  as  well  as  adu!- 
erated  and  converted  into  Foifcn,  by  the  Avarice  of  the 
\1erchant3     But  whilft  we  are  waiting  for  repeated  Expe- 
Jments  and  Difcoveries,  it  muft  be  allowed,  that  we  have 
10  better  Remedies  than  thofe  the  Chevalier  has  named, 
ind  their  Succefs  in  fome  Diftempers  is  almoft  infklli- 

Rhubarb  is  the  Root  of  a  fmall  Tree, 
hat  grows  only  in  ^fta,  and  efpecially  in        Rhubarb. 
"■artary       That   oi  America,  which    has   been  thouo-ht   tO 
I^oved  '^  ^'^'"''^'  '''''  "°^  ^^^"  ^'  ^^^  Efficiently 

Ipecacuanha  is  the  Root  of  a  Tree,  to  be 
ound  in  no  Country  but  Brafil.  Ipecacuanha. 

^inquina  is  the  Bark  of  a  Tree  that 

'"^n^j    '"  ^^''*"     ^^  feveral  Countries  it  is        Quinquioa. 
ailed  Jefuits  Bark,    becaufe  we  are   in- 
debted   to  thofe  Fathers   for  this  precious        1,06. 

vemedy.      Sir Talbot,    an  Englijh 

gentleman,  has  made  it  much  more  ulefui  and  common 

*  Savari  Dia, 

O  2  than 


292  DIALOGUE    XV. 

than  it  was  formerly,  by   the  manner  in  which  he  ha 
taught  us  to  prepare  it. 

They  now  begin  to  ufe  the  Bark  of  a  Tree  in  Cayenne 
called  Simarauba ,  and  we  are  *  informed  for  certain 
that  it  prefently  fuppreffes  the  moil  inveterate  Dyfente 
ries. 

Thefe  four  Remedies,  fo  efficacious,  and  juflly  efteemed. 
are  only  the  Roots  and  Barks  of  fome  particular  Trees 
After  the  proper  Juice  they  are  capable  of  containing,  W(5 
can  have  no  Conception  of  any  thing  more  than  a  little 
VelTels,  Fibres,  and  Air-vents ;  or,  in  other  Words, 
Syftem  of  VefTels  appointed  for  the  Filtration  or  PalTage  o: 
Juices  extremly  fubtile.  I  am  apt  to  fufpe^l,  that  thefj 
Barks  and  Roots,  when  reduced  to  Powder,  and  receivec| 
into  the  Body,  are  only  like  a  Number  of  little  Sponges, 
Avhofe  Pores  and  Orifices  are  proportioned  to  the  extraor 
dinary  Smalnefs  of  the  Acids,  which  diforder  and  afflid 
the  Patient.  Thefe  Acids  infmuating,  or  rather  Iheathing 
themfelves  in  the  Sponges,  opened  wide  enough  for  theii 
Reception,  and  fufficiently  compad  to  retain  them ;  the 
Acids,  Sponges,  and  Indifpofition,  are  all  carried  off,  anc 
diffipated  by  Degrees.  This  hrfl  Sufpicion,  that  feems  to 
have  fome  Probability,  makes  me  entertain  a  fecond,  which 
is  that  we  may  find  in  our  own  Country,  a  Root  or  Bark 
*which  would  produce  the  fame  EfFedls.  | 

Prier.    The  Root  of  our  Gentian  is  no 

Gentian.  way  inferior  to  the  Jefuit's  Bark,  in  Inter- 

mitting Fevers :  And  be  pleafed  to   take 
Notice,  I  am  flill  fpeaking  of  a  Root. 

Cotmt.  'I'is  to  be  hoped  fome  future  Experiments  will 
difcover  to  us  our  own  Riches* 

Countefs,  Gentlemen,  you  are  treating  Phyfic  in  a  very 
rational  manner ;  but  there  are  Plants,  whofe  Ufe  and 
Efficacy  are  more  agreeable  :  And  1  delire  to  know  from 
whence  we  have  thofe  Drinks  or  Infufions  that  are  become 
fo  fafhionable,    I  mean  Tea^  Coffee^  and  Chocolate, 

Count.  Tea  is  nothing  more  than  the  Leaf 

Tea.  of  a  Tree,  that  grows  only  in  China,   and 

Japan.     The  Tea- Leaves,  when  fteeped  in 

warm  Water,  and  correded  in  their  Bitternefs,  by  a  fmall 

*  MemQir.de  TAcai,  des  Scien.  J729.  M.dejeflieu. 

Quantity 


0/PLANTS.  293 

Quantity  of  Sugar,  diffufe  the  Scent  of  a  Violet,  and  a 
Volatility  which,  in  fome  meafure,  refrefhes  the  Brain, 
nd  befides  the  Qualities,  it  has  the  Reputation  of  being 
n  Aperisnt,- 

CoiFee  is  a  little  Berry,  gathered  from  a 
>ee  in  Arabia  Felix,     towards  Jden  and        Coffee. 
\^ocba  I  and  they  now  begin  to  cultivate  it, 
^ith  Succefs,  in  the  Parts  adjacent  to  Bata%na^  and  in  the 
le  IHe  of  Bourbon  near  Madagafcar,  which  belongs  to  the 
Vench. 

Chocolate,    which  is  diluted   in  warm 
V^'ater,  in  order  to  make  a  nourifhing  Li-        Chocolate, 
nor,  is  a  Palle  whofe  chief  Ingredient  is 
le  Powder  of  Cocoa-niMs,  which  are  taken        TBe  Cocoa, 
at  of  a  long  Shell,  fhaped  like  a  Cucum- 
sr;  and  to  thefe  Nuts  there  is  an  additional  Mixture  of 
>me  particular  Drugs.     The  *  Mexicans,  in  whofe  Coun- 
y  the  Cocoa-trees  grow  in  the  greateft '  abundance,  take 
le  Nuts  and  mix  them  with  Indian  Corn,  and  fuch  Sugar 
J  they  extradl  from  their  Canes,  adding  a  few  Seeds  of 
le  Rocou,  which  are  coloured  with  the  finefl:  Vermilion  in 
le  World.     They  grind  all  thefe  Ingredients  between  a 
opple  of  Stones,    and  work   the  Mixture  into  a  Pafte, 
hich  they  eat  dry  when  they  are  hungry,  and  diffolve 

in    warm  Water,    when   they   would    quench    their 
^hirft. 

T ht  Spajiiards, v/\io  find  this  Compofitibn  very  beneficial 
id  acceptable,  and  know  it  to  be  a  Commodity  of  a  fure 
onfumptlon,  are  fo  induftrious  to  bring  it  to  Perfedlion^ 
id  make  it  extremely  valuable,  that,  at  prefent,  a  fmall 
arden  planted  with  Cocoa-tvQcs,  is  worth  above  twenty 
oufand  Crowns  to  the  Proprietor.  Complaints  are  made, 
at  Spaniards  mix  Vv^ith  the  Cocoa-viMts,  too  great  a  Quan- 
y  of  Cloves  and  Cinamon,  befide  other  Drugs  without 
umber.  The  Grocers  in  Faris  ufe  few  or  none  of  thefe 
igredients,  and  have  much  lefs  Regard  {qx  Musk  and 
mbergreafe,  which  a  Number  of  People  are  fond  of  to 
ifatuation  ;  they  only  chufe  out  the  befl  Nuts,  which  are 
XX^^Carracca,  becaufe  they  are  brought  from  the  Parts 
[joining  to  the  City  of  Carraccos  in  Terra  Firma  ;  with 
efe  Nuts  they  mix  a  very  fmall  Quantity  oi  Cinamon, 
*  Savari.  _ 

o  3  the 


294  DIALOGUE    XV, 

the  frefheil  Vanilla,  and  the  fineft  Sugar,  but  very  feldor 
any  Clo^^es ;  and  they  now  have  the  Art  of  making  fuc 
Chocolate,  as  is  univerfally  efteemed. 

Chevalier.  I  know  nothing  of  the  Vanilla  his  Lordihi, 
has  mentioned ;  and  am  as  much  to  feek  with  refpea  t 
Cinamon  and  Clo^ues. 

Count.  Vanilla  is  a  Shell  full  of  a  lufciou 

VanilJa.  Jui^e,    and  little    black  Seeds    of    mol 

agreeable  Odour.     It  is  gathered   in  J7ne 

rica,  and  efpecially  Ne^v  Spain,  from  a  Tree  of  the  fami 

Name. 

Cinamon  is  the  Bark  of  a  Tree  fbunc! 
Cmamon.    .  only  in  the  Man d  of  C<?);^;?.     The  DutA 

have  deftroyed  it  in  every  other  Place, 
and  monopolized  the  Commerce  of  It  to  themfelves 
*  When  the  Fruit  of  the  Cinamon  Tree  is  boiled  in  Water 
it  produces  an  Oil,  which  fixes  and  thickens  like  Tallow 
in  proportion  as  the  Water  cools :  Of  this  Oil  they  mak 
Candles  perfedly  white,  and  referve  them  for  the  King  o 
Ceylon.  There  is  alfo  the  white  Cinamon  of  St,  Doming^ 
and  the  Antilles  \  but  it  this  is  little  efleemed. 

"The  Chue  is    a  fmall   aromatic  Fruit* 
The  Clove.  fhaped  like  a  Nail,  with  a  Point  and  a 

Head,  divided  into  four  QH^^ters.'  It 
grows  on  the  Ch've  Tree,  in  the  Ifland  oiTernate  f.  .  This 
I'ree  was  once  very  common  in  all  the  Moluccoes;  and  every 
T^ationfurniihed  themfelves  with  Clones  at  Liberty.  But  the 
Dutch,  whofe  Patience  the  greatefl  Obllacles  could  never 
weary,  have  either  engaged  or  conilrained  the  Natives  of 
thefe  mznds,  to  dellroy  all  the  Clo^^e  Trees,  except  thofe 
mTenmte,  where  the  Dutch  are  iMallers. .  They  have  like-^ 
wife  the  bell  Settlements  in  thofe  Countries  that  produce 
Pepper,  Nutmegs,  and  Mace;  which  lafl  is  "the  Shell  of  the 
mtmeg,  and  much  more  elteemed  than  the  Nut  itfeif  : 
So  that,  by  thefe  means,  the  Dutch  are  become  the  Ale- 
dium  of  this  kind  of  TrafRc,  to  almoll  all  Afia  and  Europel 
i\nd  thus  you  fee,  in  a  few  Words,  the  Origin  of  our 
Jalhionable  Infufions  and  bell  Spices. 

^    Comitefs.     I  am  diflatisfied   with    fome    Circumflances. 
m    thefe  Indian   and  TurkiJl:^  Liquors,    which   prevail   fa 

/*  Journ    des  Scav.  Jan.    11.1684. 
'     f  A  fmali  liland  Jying  Weflward  oi  Gilolo  in  the  Moluccoes. 

muck' 


0/  P  L  A  N  T  S.  2^5 

lach  among  us ;  one  is,  the  Neceffity  of  preparing  theriit 
/ery  Time  you  intend  to  ufe  them :  And  the  other  is  the 
)ifficulty  of  preferving  the  proper  Ingredients  of  this  Pre- 
aration.  They  all  evaporate  and  lofe  their  Spirits^,  and 
e  muft  be  conftantly  renewing  our  Stock. 

Count.  On  the  other  hand,  'tis  the  Privilege  of  our  befl 
iquors,  to  retain  their  Perfedion  many  Years :  Burgundy 
referves  its  Excellence  even  in  Pe^-Jiciy  where  Ta<vernier 
refented  fome  to  the  Sophy,  who  prefered  it  to  his  Wine 
^  Schiras :  Champagne ,  which  Mon{.  St.  E'vremond,  who  in 
latters  of  Pleafure  was  undoubtedly  a  good  Judge,  called 
le  befl  Wine  in  the  Univerfe,  is  preferved  in  Bottles  nine 
r  ten  Years,  and  even  more,  when  it  happens  to  be  rightly 
lanaged. 

Pj'ior.     If   our  European  Liquors  keep 
mger  than  thofe  of  A/ta ,    *tis  the  very        Com. 
ime  Vv^ith  our  Corn,  compared  either  with 
le  Magnoc  Root,    of  which    the  Ajnericans  make   their 
read,  or  the  Pith  of  Sago,  which  ferves  for  Bread,  in  all 
le  Moluccoesy    or  indeed,  with  all  the  Plants,'  which  the 
Jatives  of  different  Countries  have  endeavoured  to  fublli- 
ite  in  the  room  of  Bread.     We  ought  to  offer  up  our 
rratitude  to  the  Deity,  for  a  Nourilhment  the  moft  per- 
:Cl  in  its  Kind,  and  whofe  Produdion   and  Prefervation 
re  moil  eafily  accompliflied .     When  Corn  is  well  ma- 
aged,  it  may  be  kept  an  hundred  Years  and  longer,  if 
ich  be  the  Intention. 

Cheualier.  An  hundred  Years !  I  have  known  Corn 
row  bad  in  lefs  than  three.  What  Method  then  mufl  be 
iken  to  preferve  it  ? 

Count,  At  iiril,  it  mufl  be  removed  every  *  fifteen  Days^ 
)r  at   leail  fix  Months  fucceffively,  if  you  intend  to  pre- . 
;rve  it ;  after  this,  it  muit  be  removed  once  a  Aionth,  or 
ot  quite  fo  often.     They  fhift  it  from  Place  to  Place  with 

Shovel,  that  the  Dull,  Impurities,  and  heated  Air  may 
e  difperfed.  When  the  Corn,  by  this  Proceeding,  has 
xhaled  all  its  fiery  Particles,  it  may  be  kept  as  long  as 
ou  pleafe,  provided  the  Root  of  the  Granary  be  of  a  rea* 
enable  Height,  and  all  Humidity  excluded.  But  in  order 
>  fruilrate  all  bad  ImprefTions  of  the  Air,  and  prevent  the 

*  Memoir,   de  TAead.- des  Scienc.     3708* 

O  4,  Entrance 


2g6         DIALOGUE    XV. 

Entrance  of  Vermin,  who  grow  as  numerous  as  the  Cor 
itfelf,    and   dig,  each   of   them,  an  Habitation  in  ever 
Grain,  the  mofl   effedual  Method   is  to   fpread    a  litcl  , 
unflaked  Lime  over  the  Heap,  and  fprinkle  it  lightly  witJ  | 
Water;  the  Particles  of   Fire,    inclofed   in   this   calciner 
Stone,  efcape  through  the  Apertures  made  by  the  Water 
the  Lime  melts,    and  changes  into  a  Jelly  of  a  perfet 
Whitenefs :  It  then   infmuates   itfelf  through  the  whoh 
Surface  of  the  Corn ,  two  Fingers   in  Depth  \    and  thi:) 
Mixture  of  the  Grains   and  Jelly  forms  a  CruH,  which 
prevents  the  Corn  from  taking  Air,  as  well  as  over-heatins 
and  ihooting  forth. 

Prior.   In  the  Year  1 707,  they  opened,  in   the  Citadel 
of  *  Meniz,  2L  Magazine  of  Corn  which  had  been  ftored 
up  in  1578,  and  the  Bread   that  was  made  of  it  proved 
very  good.     When  the  Jbbe  de  Lou^oh  travelled  to  the 
Frontiers  of  Champagne,  as  he  was  one  of  the  moft  ju- 
dicious Men  in  the  World,  and  indefatigable  in  his  En-i 
deavours  to  be  informed  of  each  Particular  that  related  to 
The  Arts  and  Sciences,  he  vifited  all  Parts,  and  had  every- 
where a  favourable  AdmiiTion.     They  ihewed  him,  in  the 
Cai^le  of  Sedan,    a  Heap  of  Corn  which  had  been  lodged 
there  an  hundred  and  ten  Years,   and  prefeived  notwith.- 
Handing  the  Humidity  of  the  Place,  which  at  firft  made  it 
fprout  above  a  Foot  deep.     The  Leaves,  and  firft  Shoots 
of  the  Stems,  which  had  already  rifen  to  the  Height  of  a 
Foot,  wanting  Air,  began  to   rot,  and  funk  down   upon 
their  Roots ;  and   this    glutinous  Compoft,    incorporating 
with  the  Grains  beneath,  and   growing  dry  hardened  into 
a  very  thick  Cruft,  which  preferved  the  reft  of  the  Heap. 
Some  of  the  Bread,  made  of  this  Corn,  was  fent  to  Court 
and  proved  extraordinary  gocd. 

Cke'valler.  U  this  be  the  Cafe,  \^'e  never  need  be  appre- 
henfive  of  Famine.  When  the  Harveft  is  plentiful,  a 
Quantity  of  Corn  might  be  ftored  up,  and  then  we  fhould 
not  be  obliged,  in  Years  of  Scarcity,  to  purchafe  it  from 
foreign  Countries,  at  an  extravagant  Price. 

Count,  This  Precaution  is  taken  by  the  Dutch,  who 
have  always  a  double  Prov^ifion.  But  the  Attempt  might 
leem  very   great,  for  fuch  a  Kingdom  at  France^  tho',  at 

*     M'^mcir,  de  r Acad- de^Sdenc.  1708. 

the 


0/  PLANTS.  297 

J  fame  time,  it  muft  be  acknowledged,  that  were  this 
[pence  once  made,  it  would  fecure  the  Indigent  from  in- 
need  Prices,  and  the  Rich  from  Infults ;  and,  by  keep- 
r  off  a  Famine,  would  preferve  us  from  the  greatell  of 
'calamities,  becaufe  it  never  fails  to  carry  off  one  Part 

the  Inhabitants,  and  always  expofes  the  other  to  the 
mgers  of  Sedition,  and  contagious  Dillempers. 
Prior,  The  Precaution  you  mention  would  not  only  pre^ 
It  the  Mifchief,  but  even  difTipate  the  Apprehenfions  of 

which  are  fometimes  as  terrible  as  the  Calarnity  itfelf. 
NO  or  three  Moons,  unfavourable  to  the  Fruits  of  the 
rth,  are  alone  fufficient  to  fhut  up  all  the  Granaries,  and 
roduce  a  Famine,  when  there  is  even  a  real  Plenty; 
d  then  the  Diforder  and  Alarms  will  be  univerfal,  and 
:apable  of  Mitigation  or  Controul,  by  the  utmoft  of  hu- 
m  Wifdom ;  whereas  one  Magazine  of  Corn,  wifely 
fed  and  regulated,  in  every  Canton  of  the  Kingdom, 
luld  intirely  prevent  all  thefe  Difaflers. 
Counts  Thefe  plaufible  Projedls  are  eafily  formed,  by 
:h  fpeculative  People  as  ourfelves,  who  know  nothing  of 
i  Necefiities  of  State.  The  Affair  has  been  frequently 
jpofed,  always  relilhed,  and  as  conilantly  obflru6led  by 
eral  Accidents  :  For  our  Parts,  we  have  only  to  exprefs 
r  VVifhes  in  this  Particular;  and  as  to  the  rell,  muft  re- 
fe  our  Confidence  in  the  Wifdom  of  the  Government. 
lead  of  regulating  the  State,  let  us  adjuft  our  Plants,, 
im  which  we  have  made  a  little  DigrefTion. 
Count efs.  J  advife  you.  Gentlemen,  to  keep  to  what 
3  been  faid;  Bat  to  put  the  Che-valier  into  a  Condition 
knowing  much  more  than  he  can  learn  from  you,  in 
i  little  time  we  are  to  be  together,  I  will  give  him  this 
Dd  Counfel  ;  After  his  Return  to  Parzs\  let  him  fre- 
sntly  make  his  Court  to  tlie  Diredors  of  the  Royal 
irdens ;  his  Eyes  and  Ears  will  be  conftantly  entertained 
th  real  Curiofities.  Of  all  Employments,  none  is  more 
iple,  and  natural  to  Mankind,  or  more  amufmg  than 
\  Cultivation  of  Plants.  For  my  part,  lam  fo  delighted 
th  it,  that  I  never  pafs  a  Day,  without  walking  round 
r  Parterres,  and  Kitchen  Garden  ;  I  have  there  daily 
fcoveries  of  feme  agreeable  Novelty ;  both  the  Mind 
d  Body  equally  find  their  Account  in  this  Exercife ;  and, 

O  5  -t^- 


298 


DIALOGUE     XV 


to  infpJre  the  Chevalier  with  an  Incliration  to  it,  I  mi 
inform  him,  that  the  Culture  of  Plants  is  equally  noble  ai 
entertaining :  It  has  conftantly  had  Charms  for  Kings, 
well  as  Subjedls ;  and  'tis  now  very  common  to  fee  Men 
the  firil  Quality,  in  England  and  France^  applying  then 
felves  to  Gardening  and  Husbandry,  and  the  proper  M 
thods  of  bringing  both  to  Perfedion. 

Prior.    It  is  a  known  Fadl,  that,  at  prefent,  the  mc 

polite  and  underflanding  People  make  their  Garden,  n 

only  a  Pleafure,  but  a  ferious  AiFair.     The  Art  of  manaj 

ang  a  Kitchen  Garden  efpecially,  was  never  carried  to 

greater  Height ;  and  we  fee  fome  of  thefe,  where  the  Ey 

are  as  much  delighted  with  the  Propriety  of  the  Cultivatioj 

as  they  are  with  the  moil  regular  Parterre,  and  where  t| 

Difcovery  of  a  thoufand  new  Secrets,  for  improving  tJ! 

Fertility  of  Plants,  and  perhaps  making  the  Species  mo 

diverfify'd,  mull  produce  Pleafures  incomparably  more  e] 

tertaining  than  any  that  the  regular  Shape  of  Yew  or  Bo 

Trees  formerly  afforded.     This  Taile  does  Honour  to  t 

prefent  Age,  and  makes  it  evident,  that  we  have  not  si 

ways  a  Contempt  for  what  is  folid,   but  can  be  rational 

our  very  Pleafures.      I  however  wifli   the  Cultivation 

Plants  were,  like  true  Piety,  freed  from  every  vainScrupI 

^nd  difencumter'd  of  each  fuperllitious  Pradice.     Peof 

are  as  much  infatuated  as  ever,  with  t 

An  Enquiry     Influences  of  the  Moon  and  Planets,    ov 

whether  the       Husbandry  and  Gardening,  and,  with  tl 

xffluence 'over     g^^^^^eil  Regularity,   forbear  either  to  pla 

Plants!  0**  ^^^^y  ^"  ^^^^  Wane  of  the  Moon.     De< 

Study  has  affigned  particular  Days  for  th 

Employment,  and  the  Knowledgment  of  thefe  difagreeat 

Pradlices,  frequently  conftitutes  the  whole  Abilities  offer 

impertinent  Gardeners,   though,    at  the  fame   time,    t 

Falihcod  of  thofe  pretended  Rules  is  daily  evinced  by 

thoufand  Experiences,  and  the  Gardeners,  themfelves  mi 

needs  be  fenfible  of  their  Infignificance :  But  when  a  Pla 

happens  to  fucceed  well,  they  congratulate  themfelves,  f 

having  chofen  a  proper  Day  for  its  Plantation,    and  tl 

Time   of  the  Moon   muft   be    fet   down  amongft  the 

Maxims ;  and  whenever  the  fame  Plant,  fowed  or  plant( 

.  by  their  Neighbour  at  a  very  different  Time,  thrives  be 


Of  PLAN  TS^.  299 

•  than  their  own,  they  immediately  impute  this  to  the 
il,  Air  and  Winds ;  in  which  indeed  they  are  realonabie 
ough ;  but  then  they  Hill  retain  their  old  idolatrous  Re- 
-a  for  the  Moon. 

Count.  You  atone  for  the  Offence  you  gave  me  a  Mo- 
ent  or  two  ago,  when  you  talked  of  Moons  unfavoura» 
e  to  the  Fruits  of  the  Earth.  .  .     j 

Prior.    I  fpoke  the  ufual  Language,    but  jomed   to  it 
;ry  different  Ideas.     As  the  Continuance  of  Winds,  that 
)erate  {o  powerfully  on  the  Produaions  of  the  Earth,  and- 
en  our  Bodies,  is  commodiouily  meafured  by  the  Dura- 
DnoftheP^^>,  or  various  Appearances  of  the  Moon; 
id  as  we  fay  the  firil  Quarter  has  been  ramy,  and  the 
cond  hot,  we  are  therefore  apt  to  afcribe  that  to  the 
[oon,  which,   in  reality,  proceeds  only  from  the  Air.  ^ 
Count.    I  lately  v^as  fhewn  the  very  fame  Remark,^  in^ 
Letter  written  by  Monf  Normand,  who  has  the  Direaion! 
'  the  King's  Fruit  and  Herb^Gardens ;  where  it  is  alTerted: 
I  exprefs  Terms,  which  I  iliil  remember,    '•'  That  from 
a  vait  Number  of  Experiments,  made  with  the  greatelt 
Exadnefs,  and   in  diHerent  Years,  on  all  the  Opera- 
tions of  Gardening,  he  had  never  met  with  one  that- 
favoured  the  Subjedion  of  our  Fathers  to  the  different 
Afpeib  of  the  Moon.  "     The  Authority  of  fuch  a  Man,. 
ho  joins  the  politeil  Literature,   and  the  juHeil  Tafle,  to 
moft  confamlnate  Ex-perience,  made  a  greater  Imprefhon 
a  me,  than  all  the  Harangues  of  a  thoufand  pretended 
:onnoiffeurs.     It  was  the  Opinion  too  of  Monf.  ^tntme 
is  Predeceffor,  that  nothing  was  more  frivolous,  than  tO' 
mufe   one's  felf  with  obferving  the  Day  of  the  Moon, 
'hen  we  intended  either  to  plant  or  fell ;  that  in  reality 
ft  ought  to  do  every  thing  in  its  proper  Seafon,  and  chufe 
favourable  Period^  in  the  bell  Manner  we  are  able,  and 
len    wait  for   the  Succefs ;  not  from,  the  Day  we  have 
hofen,  but  from  the  Operation  of  the  Sun,  andtheDiipo- 
lions  of  the  Air  and  Atmofphere.  , 

Chevalier.  Since  the  Influence  of  the  Sun  and  Winds  is ^ 
D  well  known,  why  do  People  then  fo  obftinaiely  afcribe 
lSQt\%   to  the  Moon,   whofe  Operations  are   impercepti- 

>le?  ^        .    , 

Prior.  'Tisan  old  PrepoiTeiTion,  and  ?,  true  Remainder" 
)f  the  antient  Idolatry.     The  iim  1  Jen  wLc  regulated  'hs 

O  6  ^^^^ 


300,        DIALOGUE    XV.      " 

Year  after  the  Deluge,  made  ufe  of  a  Method  extremelj 
commodious,  and  mteJligible  to  all  the  World,  in  ord^ 
to  adjufl  the  different  Portions  of  the  Year,  and  the  Li 
bours  peculiar  to  each  Seafon.  They  chofe  the  varioi; 
Appearances  of  the  Moon ;  and  as  they  always  had  Ri 
courfe  to  this  Planet,  to  fix  the  Time  of  their  Labours' 
they  began,  by  Degrees,  to  imagine  that  even  thefe  wer 
influenced  by  it;  and  then,  afcribing  new  Efficacy  to  her 
in  proportion  as  flie  approached  to  the  Full,  they  a 
lail  became  perfuaded,  that  what  they  fowed,  either  ii 
the  Increafe,  or  Full  of  the  Moon,  was  impregnated  witi 
more  Vigour;  and,  on  the  contrary,  what  they  fowec 
ia  the  Wane,  correfponded  with  the  Moon's  pretend 
ed  Imbecillity.  Crabs  and  Oyfters  being  frequently  ob. 
ferved  to  be  fat,  and  in  a  good  Condition  at  the  Full 
gave  them,  as  they  imagined,  an  Opportunity  of  im- 
proving the  Growth  and  Vigour  of  thefe  Creatures  into  i 
Bule  and  Proverb,  which  a  thoufand  Experiments  have 
fince  refuted  to  no  Purpofe.  And  as  bad  Winds  fometimes 
happen  to  blovy  in  the  Wane  of  the  Moon,  this  Circum- 
ftance  was  fufficient  to  bring  that  Period  into  Difreputation  i 
for  which  Reafon  it  continues  to  be  unfavourably  thought 
of  to  this  Day.. 

CouKt.  But  what  do  you  fay  of  the  Stars ;  and  why 
were  they  imagined  to  have  fo  much  Force  and  Influence 
over  us,  that  feveral  People  even  now  afcribe  to  them,  all 
the  Good  and  Evil  which  fall  to  our  Lot  ? 

PHor.  This  has  been  occafioned  by  much  fuch  ano- 
ther Miilake  as  the  former.  The  various  Situations  of 
the  Sun,  who  is  placed,  fometimes  in  one  Conflellation, 
fometimes  in  another,  have  induced  People  to  impute  to 
thofe  very  Conilellations,  any  exceflive  Heats,  Rain  or: 
Wmds,,that  happened  under  thefe  difterent  Afpeds,  They 
afterwards  proceeded  to  fearch  for  the  very  Original  and 
Fate  of  every  natural  Tranfadlion  in  the  different  Situa« 
tions  of  the  Plants,  and  the  Afped  of  fuch  and  fuch  a. 
particular  Star :  And  this  it  is  which  has  fwelkd  th« 
Works  of  the  Antients,  and  efpecially  thofe  relating  to 
Agriculture,  with  fo  many  ufelefs  Obfervations  and  falfe 
Maxims.  The  Georgia  of  VirgU,  which  we  may  call 
the  moll  compleat  Piece  remaining  of  Pagan  Antiquity, 
are  disfigured  by  an  hundred  frivolous  Remarks  pn  i)i^ 

gopd 

y 


Of  PLANTS.  joi 

rood  or  bad  Qaalities  of  fome  particular  Days  of  the  Week 
3r  Moon,  and  on  the  Variations  of  the  Air  ;  which  the 
Poet  boldly  afcribes,  fometimes  to  the  Afpeft  of  the  Dog- 
Star,  fometimes  to  the  Setting  of  the  Pleiades,  or  the  Rilmg 
of  Orion  or  the  Kids  ;  tho'  the  contrary  frequently  hap- 
pened, as  it  does  now.  The  befl  Excufe  in  his  Favour 
is,  that  'tis  impoffible  to  exprefs  in  finer  Modulations  of 
Verfe,  thofe  fali«  but  popular  Ideas  to  which  he  was  en- 

flaved  by  Education.  ,        i  n-  i  a    • 

Ch'va/ier.  Since  we  are  got  among  the  celeitial  Am* 
mals,  who  have  been  thought  to  a6l  fo  powerfully  on  thofe 
Plants  and  Animals  that  cover  the  Earth,  permit  me  to  ask 
you-,  why  the  Names  and  Figures  of  Animals  were  afcnb- 
cd  to  the  Stars  I  What  is  the  Origin  of  the  Ram,  the  BuU^, 
and  all  the  reft  I  have  feen  in  the  Zodiac  P  I  have  been 
told  their  Names  and  Situations,  but  was  never  inftruded 
in  the  Reafon  of  thefe  things,  which  I  always  thought 
extraordinary,  tho'  I  daily  hear  them  mentioned. 

Prior.  'Tis  not  eafy  to  give  you  full  Satisfaaion,  with, 
pefpea  to  this  odd  Language,    vvhich  feems  to  have  been 
introduced  among  Men,  from  the  eldeft  Antiquity.     Some 
Diftinaion  muft  however  be  made,  and  we 
are  not  to  form  the  fame  Judgment  of  the        The  Vanity 
Names  of  the  Twelve^Signs  of  the  Zodiac,.    f,i^;i,t; 
as  we  do  of  the  other  Conftellations  of  the     ^^.-^^/^  ^:  ^^^ 
Sphere.     The  Learned  are  of  Opinion,  that     zodiac 
the  Egyptians  gave  to  the  Twelve  Signs,  the 
Names  of  as  many  different  Animals;  and  this  they  did, 
according  to  thei'r  Cuftom  of  difguifmg  remarkable  things, 
under  the  Symbol  or  Form^f  fome  Animal,  or  known 
Objea  that  had  any  Relation  to  the  thing  concealed  :  For 
Inilance,    I  am  very  much  tenipted  to  believe,  they  repre- 
fented  God  and  his  Attributes  »  fuchas  his  Immenfity,.  and 
Omnipotence,  his  Fecundity,  and  Purity,  under  the  Sym- 
bol  of  the  Sun;    and  that  they  reprefented  Nature,    or 
Matter,  which  is  intirely  dependent  on  the  Deity,    and 
perpetually   diverfified ,    under  the  Image  of  the  Moon, 
which  derives  its  Light  from  the  Sun,  and  conftantly  varies 
its  Appearance ;  and   this^  perhaps  might  be  one  of  the 
principal  Caufes  of  Idolatry  ;  Men,  by  degrees,  growing 
forgetful  of  God.,,  and  confining  their  Attention  to  the 
*  Sua 


302         DIALOGUE    XV. 

Sun,  or  even  confidering  it  as  his  Reprefentative.     But 
however  the  Faft  maybe,  it  is  certain,  the  Egyptians  were 
extremely  devoted  to  Hieroglyphics,  and  the  Twelve  Por- 
tions of  the  Zodiac  were  always   called  by  the  Name  of 
different  Animals,    intirely  conformable   to   the  Err  mi a» 
Method  and  Taile ;  and  they  are  capable  of  feme  rlafona- 
ble  Explications.     But  for  the  Generality  of  the  other  Stars 
ci  the  Sphere,  Greece,  in  mere  Fancy,  kffigned  Names  to 
thtm,  but  for  what  Reafons,  we  muft  not  attempt  to  dif- 
cover.     The  Greeks   imitated   the  Egyptians,    in   giving 
Names  of  Men  or  Animals  to  the  Stars;  with  this  Differ- 
ence, that  the  old  Egyptians  gave  fymbolical  Names  to 
ome  Stars    on  Account  of  a  certaiii  Conformity  between 
the  Symbol  and  the  Confcellation,  whereas  the  Grecians 
who  were  unacquainted  with  this  Similitude,  and  ftruck 
with  Admiration  at  the  Oriental  Wifdom,  though,  at  the 
Jame  time,  they  had  a  depraved  Tafte  for  Fable ;  invented 
a  hundred  wretched  Conceits  concerning  the  OnVin  of  the 
^nimals  of  the  Zodiac,  and  applied  to  the  other  Stars,  the 
Names  01  Heroes  and  Animals  moll  known  in  their  ridi- 
culous Metamorphofes. 

Che<valier.  Let  us  leave  the  Greeks  with  their  Fables  • 
but  what  Reafons  could  the  Egyptians  have,  for  calling  one 

the  FifhesT  '^'^'°'  ^"°^''^'  '^^  ■^'°"'  '^^  ^'^2'"'  ""^ 
Prior.  The  old  Egyptians,  after  they  had  obferved  the 
four  natural  Portions  of  the  Year,  faw  that  the  Sun.  in 
eachof  thofeSeafons,  was  placed,  fucceffively,  under  dif- 
ferent Stars.  For  the  greater  Exaftnefs  then,  and  to  par- 
cel out  tne  Year  in  a  commodious  and  invariable  manner 
they  divided  each  of  the  four  Seafons  by  three  Cantons  of 
dilierent  Stars ;  and  the  whole  Year  into  twelve  Houfes  or 
Stations  of  the  Sun,  to  which  they  gave  the  Names  of 
twelve  Animals,  who  were  relative  to  what  paffed  on 
iiarth,  in  every  one  of  thofe  Portions  of  the  Year. 

The  %r.n,  m  Spring,  covers  the  Earth  with  Bleffings ; 
■and  thofe  wnich  the  Antients  were  moil  defirous  of  obtain- 
ing, and  for  which  they  had  the  greateft  Regard,  were 
^iieep  Krne,  and  Goats.  To  adumbrate  the  Benefits  and 
fecundity  reftored  to  them  by  the  Spring,  they  gave  to  the 
tnree  Conftellations,  through  which  the  Sun  took  his  Pro- 

grefs 


0/  P  L  A  N  T  S.  302 

B-efs  in  that  Seafon,  the  Names  of  thefe  three  Animals. 
The  firil  Confteliation  under  which  the  San  is  difcovered 
at  the  Ciofe  of  Winter,  when  the  Days  and  Nights  are 
equal    had  the  Title  of  the  hrft  Animal  who  is  commonly: 
born  at  that  Period,  I  mean  the  Lamb,  or  the  Parent  of  that 
Creature,  who  is  the  Ram     To  the  fecond  ^^  ^^^ 
they  gave  the  Name  of  the  Eull :  And  a&    ^^^^   ^^^^^^^ 
the  Goats,  who  are  hot  in  November,  and     ^r  the  Bull, 
pregnant  for  the  Space  of  five  Months,  bring 
forth,  at  the  Expiration  of  that  time,  two  young  ones,  for. 
the  Generality,  they  afligned  to  this  third        ^^^.^.^    ^^ 
Conflellation  of  the  Spring,  the  Name  ot     the  Twins, 
the  I  wins,  or  Kids,  infiead  of  which  the 
Greeks,  without  the  leall  Reafon,   have  fubllituted  the  two 
Brothers  Capr  and  Pol/ux.                           o  ,.l.        1.    j-r 
When  the  Sun  is  arrived  at  the  Summer  Solitice,  he  dif- 
continues  his  Progrefs  towards  the  Pole,  and  returns  with 
a  retrograde  Motion  to  the  Equator;  for  which  Reafon, 
the  Egvptians,  thought  fit  to  appropriate  the       Cancer,  or  the 
Name  of  the  Crab  to  the  Stars  under  which     ^j-ab. 
he  tlien    appears;  every   one  knows  the 
March  of  this  Animal,  and  nothing  could  more  properly 
intimate  the  Retrogradation  of  the  Sun.     The  exceffive 
Heats  that  follow,  caufe  that  Luminary  to  be  then  thought 
in  his  full  Vigour,  which  they  delineated,  by  giving  the 
Conflellation  under  which  he  then  moves,        Leo,  or  the 
the  Name  of  the  Lion,  the  moft  formidable     Lion. 
of  all  Animals.     The  Harveil  which  imme- 
diately fucceeds,  made  the  fixth  Conitella-        yj^^^^  ^^  ^I^^ 
tion  be  charaderized  by  the  Figure  of  a     virgin,  or  Ear 
young  Female  Reaper,  bearing  an  Ear  of    of  Com. 
Corn      TheSvmbol  is  taken  from  thofe 
young  Damfels,  who  gained  their  Living  by  gleaning  after 
the  Reapers ;  and  nothing  could  better  mark  out  that  Sea- 
fon of  the  Year,   when  Providence  fupplies  the  Rich  and 
Poor  with  their  neceflary  Provifions.     Tiie  Chevalier  will 
be  pleafed  to  take  notice,  that  the  Ear  of  Corn  which  ihe 
has  in  lier  Hand,  is  called  Shibboleth  in  the  Hebrenv  Lan- 
guage, and  in  the  Arabic,  Sibbul  or  Sibbula Hebrecw 

and  Jrabicf  What  Converfation  is  this  ?  Let  us  defer  it  to 
tlie  next  Year. 

Cmntefu 


304         DIALOGUE    XV 

as  i^.ch  Curiofuy  as  another  Perfon.  "^  '     "^  ^  ^'^'fe 

Pnor.  The  Name  of  the  Ear  of  Porn    or  T;^  / 
given  to  the  Virgin  herfelf  who  carrLiran7n.T'  "^^^ 

bles   afterward  came  into  Fafhion     and   a   Hlfl^  '"'• 

formed  out  of  what  was  only  deSed  for  a  ^vmho^  T 
was  pretended,  that  this  SJiJi  had^'been  conveyed  frot  t£ 

fh:;^ri£^s^w.^?^i.•r^^^^^^^^ 

Nili''h?nl"  ^^'='^,j''«  Equinox,  which  equals  Day  and 

B.SS  --  S<^^^'.S"  ■".SilSSrtiS 

Scorpio,  or  the     ^^^^^  "f '  Set  of  Stars  the  Name  of  the  lor- 
Scorpicn.  po^,  becaufe  this  Animal  bears  a  Sting  and 

wjiicn  the  Sun  always  returns  to  the  Eouato^-  •  ^o    ^..  I 

SSTheSrat^"  '^^^"^  the^feSsok&,''"aftt; 
«'^"ch  the  Sun  afcends,  and  continues  mounting  to  th^  other 

Capr.corn,  or     ^'^0?^'=,  the  Name  of  tlie  Goat  or  C^pJ. 
the  Coat.  «r«   was   chofen,    becaufe   thefe  Anit^als 

as  thev  afr.nH  S™"'''"yc''«"bwhen  they  are  feeding,  and 
as  they  afcend,  always  continue  browzing,  till  they  have 


b 


Of  PLANT  S.  305 

[n'd  the  Summit  of  Rocks  and  Mountains, 

le  Water-Pot  may   very  well  reprefent  AquarIfes,or 

tins  and  Snows,  and  the  melancholy  Sea-  p.',,3  ''';X" 

1   of  Winter ;  and  lailly   the  two  Fifh,  ^\^^  ' 
iich  are  united  by  a  Band,  feem  to  relate 

the  Generation  of  thofe  Animals,    who  appear  about 
I  End  of  Winter,  at  which  Seafon  the  Fiihery  begins  ta 

good. 

Pardon  the  Liberty  with  which  I  have  offered  you  my 
mjeaures.  I  am  fenfible  all  of  them  are  not  equally 
isfadory. 

Count,  Your  Explications  have  an  Air  of  Probability, 
d  though  they  fliould  not  happen  to  be  all  equally  hap- 
',  'tis  fufficient  there  are  fome  which  are  natural  and 
,reeable  to  Reafon,  and  capable  of  making  us  compre- 
nd,  that  fome  fuch  Conformities  as  thefe,  gave  the  kn- 
:nts  an  Opportunity  of  naming  the  Twelve  Signs  of  the 
Ddiac^in  the  manner  they  have  done,  which,  at  oae 
roke,  faps  all  the  Foundations  of  judicial  A  Urology,  and 
e  fuperllitious  Pradices  in  Husbandry. 
Chevalier,  I  am  going  to  add  all  this  to  the  Memoran- 
ims  I  have  taken  of  our  pafl  Converfations,  and  ihall 
:g  the  Favour  of  the  Frior  to  revife  the  Whole,  this  Af- 
moon  and  To-morrow,  before  my  Teparture ;  for  I  in- 
nd  to  communicate  to  my  Friends  all  I  have  learned 
?re. 

Countefs.  Chevalier,  if  you  will  oblige  us  with  your 
bmpany  the  next  Vacation,  I  promife  you  a  fecond 
olume,  if  the  Frior  and  his  Lordfhip  will  be  my  S,ui:e- 
es. 


(■306) 


3! 


A 

LETTER 

FROM     THE 

Chevalier  Du  Breuil^ 
T  o 
Moni:  the  Prior  De  Jonval 

SIR, 

I  Have  been  this  Moment  been  writing  to  the  Couni  and 
Lountefso'i  Jonval,  to  exprefs  a  thoufand  Acknowledjr- ' 

ments  to  them  for  the  obliging  Reception  they  gave  ml  \ 
and  prmcipally  for  their  charming  Converfations ;  and  now 
permit  me    my  dear  Pr;ar,  to  teftify  my  perfed  Gratitude 

o  you.     1  he  moft  delightful  Days  of  my  Life  were  thofe 
f     X^  fx^    , J  '"  7°"''  <-'o"ipany.     You  have  led  me  inta 
another  World,  a  together  inchanting.     Till  then,  I  be- 
held all  Objeas  hke  a  Child,  but  you  have  taught  me  to 
lee  with  my  own  Eyes,  to  know  whatever  is  made  for  me, 
and  to  enjoy  my  due  Prerogative.     I  have  imparted   the 
^Jealures  of  my  Vacation  to  my  Brother  and  his  young 
bpoufe      All  our  Family  begin  to  be  Philofophers,    and 
^^^7     r^  engages  our  Attention.     We  have  a  great 
deal  to  fay,  on  whatever  is  prefented  to  us  in  our  Walks, 
or  ferved  up  at  Table.     The  Shell  of  an  Oyiler,  or  the 

Coat 


A  Letter  from  the^  Sec.  307 

t  of  a  Nut,  employs  us  for  feveral  Hours.  We  are  en- 
^ouring  to  difcover  the  Original,  the  Strudure  and  Ufa 
very  Thing  we  fee.  But  we  had  yeilerday  a  Dif^ute 
this  Subje6l  with  our  Neighbour  the  Colonel,  and  I 
[  now  acquaint  you  with  the  Particulars.  He  pretend- 
that  our  Application  to  Natural  Hiftory,  was  only  loll 
le,  and  all  our  Knowledge  a  Set  of  Mifapprehenfions 
Uncertainties ;  that  we  might  have  a  tolerable  Idea, 
nllance,  of  fomeof  the  larger  VefTels  which  contribute 
he  Nourifhment  of  an  Animal's  Body,  but  that  we  could 
sr  diilinguifh  the  other  VefTels  necelTary  to  fupport  thofe, 
,  much  lefs,  difcover  the  Texture  of  the  fmalleft ;  and 

according  to  him,  the  Knowledge  of  the  one  was  in- 
.ificant,  without  an  Acquaintance  with  the  other ;  and 
•efore,  that  it  was  of  no  confequence  to  begin  a  Work, 

enter  into  a  Track  of  Inquiries,  when  we  were  very 
[ible  we  ihould  never  complete  our  Defign.  Tho'  the 
onel's  Difcourfe  had  no  great  Authority  with  us,^  I  was 
ling  however  to  hear  my  Brother  refute  fuch  a  Train  of 
ifoning,  and  defired  him  to  tell  me,  if  it  made  any 
preffion  upon  him,  and  whether  he  imagined  he  had  loll 
Objea,  that  a  little  Miil  had  rendered  obfcure  to  us :  I 
led,  with  a  Smile,  that  the  firil  Year  I  was  at  Paris,  I 
I  a  Profpea,  from  my  Apartment,  of  the  Dome  of  the 
jallds,  and  that  when  there  happened  to  be  any  Fog,  I 
lid  not  imagine  what  became  of  the  Dome,  and  fan- 
i  it  was  no  longer  in  being,  becaufe  I  could  not  dif- 
fer it  at  that  time.  My  Brother,  warmed  with  my 
mparifon,  renewed  the  Difpute,  and  maintained,  againil 
:  Colonel ,  that  thefe  Difficulties  neither  deilroy'd  the 
rtainty  of  what  we  already  knew,  nor  the  Facility  of 
quiring  additional  Informations ;  that  indeed,  feme  things 
re  concealed  from  us,  but  they  did  not,  for  all  that, 
;vent  others  from  being  fufficiently  evident  and  certain, 
d  that  we  v^^ere  not  to  exercife  ourfelves  in  Inquiries  that 
•pafs  our  Faculties,  but   in  thofe  adapted  to  our  Capa- 

y.  ... 

This  Anfwer,  which  was  judged  to  be  very  judicious,  i3 
efame,  my  dear  Prwr,  which  I  heard  from  you,  in  a 
Dnverfation  wherein  you  intimated  the  Rights  and  Limits 
"  Reafon      I  was  exceedingly  afeaed  with  all  you  were 

then 


3o8.  A  Let  t  e  r  from^  &c 

then  pleafed  to  teli  us,  and  Ihould  efteem  myfelf  extrenw 
ocliged  to  you,  if  you  would  give  yourfelf  the  Troublei 
write  down  the  fame  Particulars,  and  tran.^it  them  to  i 
at  a  convenient  Opportunity.  You  have  already  taus- 
me  to  think,  and  muft  now  inftrua  me  to  think  iuft- 
Mj  Brother,  who  has  feen  my  Letter,  ahd  made  fon 
AdQitions  to  It,  efpecially  in  what  relates  to  him-'eif  pa' 
you  a  thoufand  Refpeds,  and  joins  his  Intreaties  with  miiJ 
c  K-  "^^  ?fy  ^^  ^n^thi^d.  to  you,  for  an  Iliu&ation  oft 
buDject  1  liave  propofed  to  you. 

We  have  no  Intention  to  make  the  Colonel  a  Converl 
1.  nee  we  (hould  only  find  our  Labour  ineffVara! ;  but  w 
are  defirous  of  behig  preferved  from  his  Mifapprche 


(  309  ) 


A 

.  E  T  T  E  R 

FROM    THE 

Prior  De  Joj^val, 

T  O    T  H  E 

Chevalier  Du  Breuil, 

n  the  Extent  and  Bounds  of  Reason. 

SIR, 

"  is  no  longer  neceiTary  to  infpire  you  with  a  favoura- 
ble Idea  of  the  Advantages  refulting  from  the  Arts  and 
;nces,  in  order  to  excite  your  Curiofity  :  That  Affair 
ilready  completed,  and  I  am  fenfible,  the  Defire  of 
owledge  is,  at  prefent,  your  moll  prevailing  Paflion : 
then  this  Paflion,  fo  commendable  in  itfelf,  and  fo 
ile  in  its  happy  Confequences,  when  it  happens  to  be 
1  regulated,  may,  like  feveral  others,  be  indulged  to  an 
noderate  Degree.  We  f«e  fome  Perfons,  who,  infteacl 
acquiring  Solidity,  are  only  elated  by  Knowledge  ;  and 
re  are  learned  Men,  of  whom  it  may  be  jullly  faid,  tnat 
lad  been  better  for  themfelves  and  others,  had  they  :-ri- 
jed  in  their  original  Ignorance,  and  not  Jcbufed  their 
:ainments,    by  perverting   the  Ufe  of  Reafon  in   the 

.nner  they  are  feen  to  pra(5life.  .  ^ 

^  Curiofity 


310  -d  IL'B.rTzvi  from  the 

Curiofity  is,  without  Difpute,  a  laudable  Qualificaticll 

and  no  reafonable  Perfon  will  contradid  that  Truth  •  k 

-M\  this  Cunofity  muft  hs  condudled  with  Moderation'  a » 

we  ought  to  be  acquainted  with  its  Liraits,  in  order  to'cq,; 

fine  It  within  their  Circumfcription :  And  this  is  the  Si  a 

jeft,  which,  in  Obedience  to  your  Requeft,  I  now  prop » 

to  eKamme      This  E  flay,  my  dear  Chevalier,  may  fee 

to  you  a  little  abftradled,  and  not  fo  intelligible  as  c| 

former  Converfations.     But  let  me  advifeyou,  at  your  fi , 

reading  what  I  have  now  to  offer,  to  confider  it  only  a 

Hiftory    without  giving  yourfelf  any  great  Perplexity  1 

comprehend  every  Particulnr.     At  the  fecond  reading,  yi, 

will  i5nd  It  more  fkmiliar;  at  leaft  the  worft  that  can  ha  , 

pen,  will  be  for  you  to  place  this  Letter  at  the  End  of  t  i 

Journal  of  our  Converfations,  after  you  have  communicl 

ted  It  60  your  Brother,  and  to  defer  reading  it  anew    t  ] 

you  have  made  fome  farther  Advances  in  Philofophy.      [ 

The  Bounds         ^he  Bounds  of  Curiofity  are  undoubtedlu 

of  Reafon.  the  fame  with  thofe  prefcribed  to  the  Reafoif 

'f  A-  -A    1     u  °f  ^^^"  '"  general,  and  to  the  State  of  eacif 

Individual  i  but,  for  want  of  knowing  the  Meafure  an  I 

fn"?f  rr-^°"r5'^'°"'  ^^  frequently  deceive  ourfelves 

L  n^^     '".f  y^'"g^  ^^'J*^^^  to  know,  as  well  as  i  1 

t..e  Degree  of  Perfpicuity  to  which  we  would  willingly  A 

tance  to  us,  not  to  entertain  wrong  ^pprehenfions  on  thi,, 
pccafion,  and  to  make  a  juft  Eftimate  of  the  Power  an 
Incapacity  of  Reafon.     The  Knowleuge  of  what  this  Fa- 
nnlrf  f  ^°"IP''*'  'nay  animate  our  Endeavours ;  andj 
.  our  Periuafidn  of  its  Inability,  in  other  Iriftances,  may  fave 
us  the  pains  of  many  unprofitable  Attempts.     But  it  is  a 
common  Misfortune,  and  efpecially  among  young  Perfons  i 
either  not  to  be  fufEcientJy  fenfible  of  the^'uft  A^-alue  a„d 
Prerogatives  of  Reafon,  or  elfe  to  entertain  loo  advantage-! 
either" r!i^l,      "^P?^«^=  '"  <-onfequence  of  which,   they, 
£ iTmits        "'^       '^'  "'  '="''"^^°"?  '°  extend  it  beyondj 
We  are,  in  this  Age,  furrounded  with  Dangers.     The 
Ficklenefs  of  Conllitution ;    the  Ccnftraint  of  Attention  j 
the  enchantmg  Afpeft  of  Pleafures ;  the  feducing  Power  o 
Example,  a  thou.^nd  Caufes  may  degrade  Reafon  in  our 
'-'p.nion,  and  deprive  us  of  the  Efficacy  of  that  Privilege 

which 


Prior  De  Jonval,  i^c.  gti 

ich  conHitutes  the  Glory  and  Happinefs  of  Man     On- 
other  hand,  the  Defire  of  improving  our  UnderHand- 
s,  the  amiable  Succefs  of  fome  learned  Men ;  the  Ho- 
irs  and  Advantages  that  attend  the  Sciences  ;  the  Plea- 
2  infeparable  from  Study  ;   our  proper  Talents,  as  well 
our  inconfiderate  Complaifance  to  ourfelves,  when  we 
unacquainted  with  the  Bounds  of  thofe  Faculties,  may 
d  us  into  prefumptuous  Inquiries,  that  either  bewilder 
by  degrees,  or  tend  to  excite  in  us  criminal  Expoilula- 
ns  on  the  Infirmity  of  our  Nati^re. 
The  Learned  themfelves,  to  whom  we  confidently  apply, 
Dur  Guides,  in  a  Track  they  ought  to  know  better  than 
-felves,  m.ay  be  the  firil  who  contribute  to  our  Illufion. 
me  of  them,  more  fertile  in  Perplexities  than  clear  Prin- 
lies,  are  wavering  in  a  conilant  and  univerfal  Hefitation. 
ley  difcourage  us  in  our  Searches  after  Truth,  and  we 
\  ailoniilied  to  find  fo   much  Uncertainty  united  to  fo 
ich  Wit.      Their  Example  feduces   others,    who,    de- 
siring to  attain  any  (iatisfadory  Knowledge,  refign  them- 
ves,  in  confequence  of  that  Perfuafion,  to  Pleafure,   to 
fignificance,  and  a  Scepticifm  of  Mind,  which  is  more 
nedilefs  than  Immorality  itfelf    Others,  on  the  contrary, 
tter  us  with  Promifcs,  by  much  too  magnificent :  They 
fpire  us  witli  an  immoderate  Opinion  of  the  Extent  of 
r  Reafon,  and  fubjed  every  thing  to  their  own  Exaioi- 
tion.     They  are  never  perplexed  in  their  Inquiries ;  and, 
hear  their  Difcourfe,   you  would  imagine  they  had  pe- 
trated  through    all    the  Myf^eries   of  Spirituality   and 
atter.     With  a  fmgie  Turn  of  Hand,  they  difconcert  the 
bole  corporeal  Syflem,  and  range  it  anew  as  they  think 
oper.     They  are  the  Partifans  of  a  Sytlem  of  Imagina- 
>n  that  comprehends  the  Univerfe ;  they  difcover  the  full 
ay  of  thofe   mighty  Springs   chat  give  Motion  to   the 
'"orld,  and  know   the  Fabric  of  the  minureil  Parts  that 
impose  ii.     They  fpeak  of  every  Particular,   and  give  a 
)!.'•  Solution  of  the  Whole. 

But,  aJc^s !  how  frequently  are  we  obliged  to  moderate 
lefe  vaJn  Pretenfions !  When  v/e  dcfjgn  to  be  natural  and 
idifguifed,  we  are  conftraiued  to  acknowledge,  that  if 
ature  be  ^o  open  to  our  View,  as  to  prefent  us  with  a  no- 
e  SpedacJe,  yet  the  internal  Parts  of  this  Appearance  are 
itiidrawn  from  our  Obfervation.      We  are  unacquainted 

with 


I 


312  A  Letter  from  the 

with  the  Movement  of  the  Machines ;  the  particular  Strjii 
e.ure  of  every  Part,  and  the  Compofition  of  theWhol 
are  Points  that  furpafs  our  Underftanding.    We  behold  tli 
oatward^Surface    and  enjoy  it,  but  the  clear  and  compri' 
heniive  Knowledge  of  the  Depths  andMechanifm  of  N 
ture,  IS  a  Favour  not  accorded  to  our  prefent  State 

Werefemble  Travellers,  who  beg  in  their  Journey  e 
the  Dawn  of  a  fine  Day;  a  weak,  tho' pleafant  Lighw 
begins  to  colour  the  Objeds  around  us,  and  we  diftirj 
guiih  thofe,  efpecialJy,  that  are  near  us,  and  do  not  cor  ii 
found  the  River  with  the  Banks  that  border  it :  This  ii 
iufficient  for  us,  and  enables  us  to  continue  our  Tourney  ^ 
liut  the  Days  fliines  not  as  yet  in  its  full  Luftre.  ( 

If  we  would  modeitly  inquire  into  the  Reafons,  whvl 
fuch    a    fmall   Portion    of    Light   has   been    impartecl 
to  us,  we  Ihall  find  it  wifely  proportioned  to   our  Ne  ( 
•    ceifities    and  relative  to  our  prefent  State ;   and  muft  ac- 
knowledge, that  had  it  been  more  extenfive,  we  Ihouldh 
iiave  been  lefs  capable  of  anfwering  the  End  of  our  CreaJi 
tion.     We  are  only  placed  here  to  be  virtuous.     Our  Rea-' 
Ion  IS  dependent  on  the  Seafons,  by  whofe  Miniftration  iti, 
receives  Intelligence  of  every  thing  relating  to  the  Life  overu 
which  It  prefides.     This  Reafon  is  fubjeft  to  a  Body,  and 
accompanied  with  a  Set  of  Limbs :  All  thefe  Organs  have,- 
toeen  given  it,  not  for  Contemplation,  but  Labour,  and  theii 
Performance  of  proper  Adions.     Thefe  are  thePurpofes 
tor  which  we  have  received  it,  and  they  would  have  been 
defeated  by  ftronger  Illuminations. 

A  Traveller,  in  order  to  proceed  regularly  in  his  Wav. 
JhouW  be  capable  of  diftinguifhing  the  Objeils  around  him' 
or  elfe  he  can  neither  ufe  the  one,  or  avoid  the  other ;  but 
there  is  no  Neceffity  for  him  to  be  perfeilly  acquainted, 
•either  with  the  Nature  of  the  Land  over  which  paffes,  or 
the  natural  Qualities  of  the  River  that  flows  by  him  in  his 
Journey  j  al  his  Bufinefs  is  to  follow  the  one,  and  avoid 
the  other.  Were  he  more  penetrating  and  curious,  he 
would  flop  too  long  to  confider  the  Particularities  of  this 

flV  r^  T"^*^  ^-  '^'^"■°"^  of  difcovering  its  Source  and 
tiiitLaufe;  he  would  fearch  out  the  iefler  Streams  that 
Jwell  It,  and  Oe  inquifitive  to  know  the  Fifli  it  produced, 
and  the  Qualities  of  the  Plants  that  rife  on  its  Banks;  he 
would  be  perpetually  wandering  from  Oojeft  to  Objed, 


Prior  D  E  J  O  N  V  A  L.    ^c.     313 

his  Journey  would  never  be  finifhed.  This  is  a  juH  I- 
z  of  our  Life, 

is  true  indeed,  that  the  Study  and  Contemplation  of 
h,  is  neceffary  for  us  in  this  State  ;  and  it  is  highly  pro- 
here  fhould  be  Travellers  todifcover  the  Ways  and  fet 
ks  and  Boundaries  in  Places  that  are  intricate;  and  like- 
that  their  Difcoveries  Ihould  guide  thofe  who  come  af- 
bem  :  And  thefe  are  the  Benefits  we  receive  from  Per- 
of  great  Genius,  who  are  appointed  for  the  ConduCl 
Inftrudlion  of  others.  But  Studies  which  produce  no- 
r,  and  Speculations  intirely  barren,  and  which  have 
'endency  to  improve  our  Hearts,  regulate  our  Manners, 
irich  Society,  are  Deviations  and  Amufements  unworthy 
r  Efleem,  and  arefubftituted  in  the  Room  of  neceflary 
>urs.  The  Deity,  by  contrading  our  Faculties,  has 
y  difpenfed  with  our  engaging  in  thefe  Diftradions. 
z  our  Penetration  greater,  we  fhould  be  more  felicitous 
e  than  to  adl ;  and  fhould  certainly  difdain  to  creep  on 
iarth,  were  it  pofTible  for  us  to  behold  or  know  what 
s  in  the  Stars. 

his  Truth  will  be  evidently  juftified,  if  we  enter  into  a 
Particular?.     Let  us  call;  our  Eyes  on  a  Husbandman. 

a  Perfon  confider'd  in  a  certain  Light,  and  in  com- 
bn  with  others,  feems  to  us  an  Objed  of  CompafTion. 
5  un polite,  lives  a  laborious  Life,  and  elegant  Pleafures 
10  part  of  his  Property  :  He  has  no  Knowledge  of  ami- 
Glory,  alluring  Gold,  or  glittering  Jewels.  Has 
idence  then  forgot  this  Man  to  lavifh  his  Favours  on 
s?  Nothing  can  be  more  delnfive  than  fuch  a  Point  of 
: :  What  Place  does  this  P(.*i^{on  then  fill  in  the  Order  of 
idence?  He  is  ordained  for  the  moft  neceffary  of  all 
loyments,  the  Cultivation  of  the  Earth.  He  is  furnifh- 
erefore  with  all  proper  Lights,  iince  he  has  thofe  fuf- 
it  for  his  Station :  Had  he  more,  he  would  not  accom- 
the  Purpofes  for  which  he  was  appointed  :  If  Pleafures 
Honour  were  to  prefent  him  with  any  Attradions,  he 
d  think  himfelf  wretched,  in  the  Obfcurity  and  Fa- 
s  of  his  Condition  ;   and  it  is  not  for  his  Advantage  a- 

that  his  Underftanding  is  grofs,  and  contraded  with- 
fcanty  Compafs,  but  it  is  much  more  for  the  common 
i  of  Society.  Were  the  PeafantMafler  of  Penetration, 
:acy,  and  Tafle,  would  he  condefcend  to  follow  a 
^  Night  and  Day  ?  Would  he  not  find  himfelf  degrad- 
OL.  LP  ""  ed. 


314  J  LETTER  from  the 

ed,  by  the  Cumberfome  and  demeaning  Cares  with  which  he 
obliged  to  tend  thefe  contemptible  Animals  ?  And  ye 
were  the  Earth  and  Cattle  negle6led,  all  Society  would  P^ 
difcbncerted,  and  intirely  deflitute  of  Food  and  Raimen! 
The  Unpolitenefs  therefore  of  the  Peafant,  is  a  Benefadli 
to  us ;  and  we  difcover  our  Ingratitude  and  Injuftice,  whef"' 
we  reproach  him  for  his  Stupidity.  But  our  Idea  of  thf^ 
Man  is  applicable  to  feveral  others.  This  Man  of  Laboi'" 
and  Rufticity  is  the  whole  Species  of  Mankind ;  he  is  oi}" 
general  Reprefentative.  We  were  all  placed  on  the  Earfl il 
to  cultivate  and  embellifh  it,  and  render  ourfelves  ufil 
ful  by  our  Labours.  The  Diverfity  of  Employments 
quires,  indeed,  fome  Variety  in  the  Talents  and  Ligh 
but  then  thefe  Lights  and  Talents  have  their  Limits, 
yond  which  we  are  not  permitted  to  pafs ;  and  to  be 
firous  of  proceeding  farther  is  to  have  an  Inclination 
move  out  of  our  Condition.  To  what  Purpofe  is  it  to  dive 
the  very  Bottom  of  Beings,  to  unravel  the  nicefl  Texture 
the  Organs  of  a  Body ;  to  inquire  how  the  Veflels  that  fufH 
ply  it  with  Life,  and  which  areinvifible  to  our  Eyes,  can  fub*a 
M  of  themfelves  ;  to  divine  what  are  the  Elements  of  theilii 
VclTels,  and  the  firfl  Principles  even  of  thofe  Elements;^ 
in  a  Word,  to  launch  into  Infinity  itfelf?  We  were  madtti 
for  a  very  different  Purpofe;  and  to  quit  the  Truths  preif 
fented  to  us,  to  wander  after  Informations  that  elude  ourl 
Curiofity,  in  fhort,  to  pretend  to  Wifdom  inftead  of  InduH|i 
try,  is  to  forfake  the  Path  of  Virtue  which  is  open  before  us,i/ 
and  to  ilrike  out  new  Trads  wherein  we  are  interrupted  at;  < 
every  Step,  by  infurmountabic  Difficulties.  'Tis  to  refill|i| 
the  Order  eftabliftied  by  Wifdom  itfelf,  which  fhines  brightjj! 
enough  to  guide  us  to  our  Welfare,  but,  as  yet,  has  not  ii 
diffipated  all  the  Shadows ;  and  when  it  had  even  adde(l|i' 
Revelation  to  Reafon,  its  Intention  was  to  clear  up  thofe'»" 
Doubts  we  may  entertain,  with  refpe^  to  the  way  in  whichi 
we  ought  to  proceed,  and  not  to  lift  up  the  Vail  that  dfr| 
prives  us  of  the  true  Knowledge  of  Things.  That  Period? 
is  not  yet  arrived. 

But  if  it  be  very  jaft  and  necefiary  to  be| 

The  real  Advan-     fenfible  of  the  Infufficiency  of  Reafon  in 

tages  of  Reafon.       certain  Points,  and  to  fubmit,  without  rc-  f 

pining,  to  the  Law  of  him  who  has  rego* 

lated  all  things  according  to  his  own  good  Pleafure,  it  is 

(till 


Prior  D  E  J  O  N  V  A  L,  ^c.       3 1 5 

equally  juft  to  know  the  Value  of  this  Reafon,  and  ex- 
e  it  according  to  its  Extent  and  Ability.  Next  toFaith^ 
:h  without  Reafoning  informs  us  of  what  we  ate  to 
ve,  pradlife,  and  hope  for,  we  are  pofTeiTed  of  no  o- 
Treafure  more  precious  than  Reafon.  If  this  does  not 
trate  to  the  very  Depth  and  Nature  of  Objeds,  it  is  at 
fenfible  of  their  Excellence,  and  qualifies  us  to  confider 
I  without  Confufion  :  It  beholds  their  Exterior,  and  is 
:ious  of  their  Operations  and  EiFeds ;  it  difcerns  their 
tions  and  Number  ;  their  Agreements,  Properties  and 
alnefs:  In  a  Word,  if  it  be  not  furnifhed  with  very 

Ideas,    it  however  has  dillind  Perceptions  which  \t 
Dves  to  a  wonderful  Advantage :    It  enjoys  its  Privi- 
,  and  adls  with  the  Precaution  of  a  Traveller,  who, 
pafTes  along,  takes  notice  of  what  is  peculiar  to  every 
try,    and  knows   the  Roads,  the  Inconveniences  and 
mmodations ;   and  without  flopping  at  any  particular 
,  obferves  and  makes  ufe  of  the  Whole, 
)  have  a  fuller  Convidlion  of  the  Excellence  of  our 
)n,  and   the  ftridl  Obligation  we  are  under,    of  im- 
ng  it  to  all  poiTible  Perfe^ion,  we  need  only  compare 
th  what  we  have  moft  adlive  and   accompliihed  on 
,  and  confider  the  Rank  it  holds  there,  and  the  Func- 
it  performs.     When  we  examine  the  various  Animals 
which  Nature  is  univerfally  peopled,  we  difcover  in 
all  a  certain  Induftry  and  juft  Precaution,  in  the  means 
:hoofe  for  nourifhing  and  rearing  up  their  Young.  They 
an  Imitation  of  Reafon,  becaufe  all  their  Anions  tend 
articular  Point ;  and  we  cannot  miftake  in  them,  the 
tion  of  an  infinite  Wifdom   and  Power,  which  has 

their  manner  of  Life,  and  imprinted  on  each  Species 
thod  of  proceeding    which  is    never  difconcerted  : 
ver,  we  are  not  to  fuppofe  them  pofTeffed  of  Under- 
ig,   fince  they  are  intirely  deftitute  of  Reafon.     That 
m  by  which  they  ad,   and  which  diredls  their  Mo- 
refides  elfewhere :    If  they  had  it  in  themfelves,  if 
lought  and  reafoned,  we  fhould  not  fee  them  embarraA 
upid  and  in  tradable,  when  taken  out  of  the  way  of 
hich  is  peculiar  to  each  Species.     If  a  Spider  had  all 
ill  of  a  Weaver,  fhe  would  make  fomething  elfe  be- 
sr  Web.     Were  the  Swallow  as  fkilful  as  a  Mafon, 
uld  build  with  other  Materials  than  Mortar.     Were 
P  2  Animals 


3i6  A  LETTER  from  the 

Animals  once  capable  of  Thought,  they  would  not  be  limr 
cd  to  one  invariable  Track,  and  new  Ideas  would  be  ir 
fufed  into  their  Minds.     The  Principle  of  Reafon  would  nci 
be  unfertile  in  them,  but  would  difcover  itfelf  by  an  Air  c| 
Curiofity ;  by  new  Efforts,  and  new  Works  j  and  the  Varicfc 
ty  of  their  Thoughts  would  not  fail  to  diverfify  their  Induj 
try.     It  is  quite  otherwife,  with  refped  to  the  Indufiry  d 
Man;  he  has  not  received,  like  other  Animals,  an  Impre 
fion  of  Hability  and  Vigour,  for  producing  an  uniform  C 
peration,  by  proportionable  Organs.     The  Reafon  of  Map 
is  an  adlive  and  fruitful  Principle,  which  knows,  and  wouf 
be  perpetually  inlarging  its  Attainments ;  vMz\\  deliberatei'n 
wills,  and  choofcs  with  Freedom ;  which  operates,  and,  if|j 
may  ufe  the  Exprefiion,  daily  creates  new  Works.     Rea^^ 
lias  even  enabled  Men  to  imitate  the  Fabrick  of  the  Woi 
in  a  Sphere  that  regularly  exhibits  its  Movements  and  Re 
lutions,  and  this  Faculty  procures  to  him  fomething  Hill  m 
beneficial  and  noble  :    It  makes  him  acquainted  with  t 
Beauty  of  Order,  to  the  end  it  may  be  the  Subjeft  of  h 
Admiration,  and  that  he  may  relifh  and  obferve  it  in  a 
his  Performances.     He  can  even  imitate  the  Deity,  and  h; 
Reafon  renders  him  the  Image  of  that  Deity  upon  Earth.   ♦ 
It  not  only  makes  him  acquainted  with  the  Exterior,  tli| 
Beauty  and  Value  of  every  Objea,  but  likewife  gives  hirl 
the  real  Enjoyment  thereof.     It  is  this  Reafon  which coJ 
llitutes  him  the  Mailer  and  Monarch  of  all  the  Earth,  m 
acquires  him  the  Poireinon  and  Sway  of  his  Empire.  ^ 

'Tis  true,  indeed,  Man  is  not  invigorated  with  the  Agj 
lity  of  Birds,  who  are  every  Moment  wafted  by  their  Wing' 
to  a  large  DiHance.     He  is  not  fortified  with  the  Strengr 
of  thofe^  Animals,  who  are  armed  with  Horns,  llrong  T2 
Ions,  and  deflruaive  Teeth;  much  lefs  is  he  array'd,   lit 
them,  by  the  Hands  of  Nature  ;  he  neither  comes  into tli' 
World  with  Furs,  or  Plumes,  or  Scales,    to  defend  to 
from  the  injuries  of  the  Air.     Does  fuch  a  Deflitution  com 
port  with  the  Lord  of  the  Earth  ?  But  he  has  received  ttj 
Gift  of  Reafon,  and  is  therefore  rich  and  llrong,  and  pte 
tifully  accommodated  with  all  he  wants.     This  infom 
Lim,    that  whatever  Animals  enjoy,  'tis  all  for  his  \}f 
that  in  Reality  they  are  his  Slaves ;  their  Lives  and  Service 
are  at  his  Difpofal.     Is  hedefirous  of  Game  for  his  Regale 
He  difpatches  his  Dog  or  Falcon,  who  are  trained  up  ^0 
4  ,  tls 


Prior  DE  JONVAL,  ^c      317 

i  Purpofe,  and,  without  any  Trouble  of  his  own,  he  is 
Dmmodated  with  all  he  wants.  Would  he,  in  one  Sea- 
change  the  Habit  that  clothes  him  in  another?  The 
*ep  religns  to  him  her  Fleece,  and  the  Silk- Worms  fpirij, 
his  Ufe,  a  more  light  and  gorgeous  Robe.  The  Ani- 
ls iuilain  him,  and  keep  Gentry  at  his  Door ;  they  com- 

for  him  ;  they  cultivate  his  Lands,  and  carry  his  Loads. 
N[or  do  the  Animals  alone  lend  him  their  Agility  and 
Tour :  Reafon  makes  the  moft  infenfible  Creatures  contri- 
e  to  his  Service;  it  caufes  the  Oaks  to  defcend  from  the 
)untains,  and  forces  the  Stones  to  ftart  from  their  Quar- 
3,  to  furnifh  him  with  an  Habitation.     Would  he  change 

'climate,  crofs  the  Seas  to  diftant  Lands,  and  either 
ty  any  of  his  Supertlaities  thither,  or  bring  back  from 
nee  what  he  wants  ?  He  makes  the  Mobility  of  the 
aves  and  Winds  fubfervient  to  his  Defigns.     Reafon  pla- 

the  Elements  and  Metals  in  Subjeaion  to  his  Neceflities  j. 
3  every  Object  around  him  is  fubmiffive  to  his  Laws. 
As  inconfiderable  as  he  is  in  Bulk,  his  Reafon  furnilhea 
n  with  a  Power,  which  is  only  bounded  by  the  Earth  he 
labits  ;  his  Defires  are  accomplifhed  at  each  Extremity  oi 
J  Globe  ;  and,  if  I  may  ufe  the  Expreflion,  he  brings 
ife  together  when  he  pleafes,  and  eilablifhes  an  Intercourfe 
tween  them,  without  flirring  from  his  own  Habitation. 
3  paints  his  very  Thoughts  in  Writing,  and  his  Letters, 
thout  any  Trouble  to  him,  are  circulated  through  Nations 
d  intimate  his  Will  to  a  People  three  thoufand  Leagues 
lant  from  him.  He  correfponds  with  the  whole  Earth,. 
d  after  his  Death,  is  even  capable  of  entertaining  thelateft: 
>fterity.  It  is  impoiTible  to  purfue  Reafon  through  all  her 
onders ;  ilie  inriches  and  adorns  every  State,  and  I  think 
r  as  admirable  in  the  Fingers  of  Artifts,  where  fhe  proves 
source  of  Beauties  and  Accommodations,  as  fhe  is  in  the 
ifcourfe  and  Writings  of  the  Learned,  where  ihe  appears 
1  inexhauftible  Treafure,  as  well  of  Inilruaions  and  Re- 
jf,  as  of  Confolation  and  Pleafure. 

To  fuch  valuable  Produdions  and  precious  Advantages 
eafonjoins  a  Sett  of  Privileges  that  dill  ennoble  her  the  more^ 
le  is  the  Centre  of  the  Works  of  God  on  Eaath  ;  fhe  is^ 
eir  End,  and  conllitutes  their  Harmony.  Let  us  take  Rea- 
n  but  a  Moment  from  the  World,  and  fuppofe  Mankind 
^fiitute  of  her  Influence  r  all  Union  would  ceafe  to  fubfift 

P  3.  among 


3i8  A  h'ETTl^K  from  the 

among  the  Works  of  tlie  Deity,  and  a  general  Confufioi 
be  introduced  through  the  Whole.     The  Sun  enlightenf' 
the  Earth ;  but  this  Earth  is  infenfible,  and  wants  none  0}| 
ihat  Luftre.     The  Rains  and  Dews,  aided  by  the  Warmtl|! 
of  that  amiable   Orb,  give  Vegetation   to  the  Seed,  anc  j 
cover  the  Fields  with  Harvefts  and  Fruits  5  but  thefe  aru 
all  loft  Riches,  and  there  are  none  to  gather  or  confumr 
thtm.     The   Earth,    I    confefs,    will   nourifh   the  Ani-^ 
2nalsi  but  thefe   Animals  are  infignificant,  for  want  ol 
a  Mailer  to   exercife  their  good  Qualities,  and  concentre  j 
their  Services.     The  Horfe  and  Ox  have  Strength  fufRcfent'. 
to  enable  them  to  draw  or  carry  very  weighty  Loads ;  theii, 
Feet  are  armed  with  Horn,  capable  of  refifting  the  moft 
^"gg^d  Ways ;  but  they  neither  needed  fo  much  Force  noi' 
io  ftrong  a  Horn,  to  qualify  them  for  grazing  in  the  Mea-! 
dows  where  they  feek  their  Failure.     The  Sheep  is  charg- 1 
ed  with  the  Weight  and  Impurities  of  her  Fleece,  and  the' 
Cow   and   Goat  are  incommoded  with  the   Redundancy 
of  their    Milk.     Difadvantage   or    Contradidlion   reignsn 
through  the  Whole.     The  Earth  inclofes   in  her  Bofom 
Stones  fit  for  Building,  and  Metals  proper  for  the  Formation 
of  all  Sorts  of  VefTels.     But  fhe  has  no  Gueft  to- lodge,  nor 
any  Workmen  to  employ  thefe  Materials.     Her  Surface  is 
afpacious  Garden,  but  not  beheld  by  any  Spe<5latori  all 
INature  is  a  charming  Profpedl,  but  afforded  to  none.     Let 
us  reflore  Man,  and  replace  Reafon  on  the  Earth  ;    InteUJ 
ligence.    Relations   and    Unity  will  immediately     reign 
through  every  Part,  and  the   very  Things  which  did  not' 
feem  created  for  Man,  but  more  immediately  for  Plants; 
or  Animals,  will  have  fome  Relation  to   him  by  the  Ser- 
vices he  receives  from  thofe  Animals   and    Plants.     The 
Gnat  depofites  her  Eggs  in  the  Water,  and  they  produce  a 
Species  of  Vermin  that  live  a  confiderable  Time  before 
they  inhabit  the  Air,  and  are  the  ufual  Sullenance  of  Fifh 
and  Water-fowl.     All  thefe  are  made  for  Man ;  'tis  there- 
fore to  his  Advantage  that   Gnats  fhould  exift.     In   the 
ilme  Manner  he  approaches  all  other  Beings.     His  Pre- 
fence  is  the  Band  that  connects  fuch  a  Variety  of  Parts 
into  the  Whole  ;  and  He  is  the  Soul  by   which  they  are 
animated. 

In  a  Word,  Reafon  not  only  renders  Man  the  Centre 
of  the  Creatures  who  furround  him,  but  like  wife  conliitiites 

him. 


Prior  D  E  J  O  N  V  A  L,  ^c.      319 

their  Prieft :  He  is  the  Minifter  and  Interpreter  of 
■  Gratitude ;  and  it  is  by  his  Mouth  that  they  ofFer  their 
lUte  of  Praife  to  him  who  has  formed  them  for  his 
y.  The  Diamond  is  neither  acquainted  with  its  own 
le,  nor  knows  from  whom  it  received  its  trembling 
re.  Animals  are  ignorant  of  him  who  clothes  and 
ins  him.  The  Sun  himfelf  is  infenfible  of  his  Au- 
.  Reafon  alone  difcovers  him ;  and  as  fhe  is  placed 
^een  the  Deity  and  Creatures  of  no  Underftanding,  fhe 
nfcious  that  in  ufmg  thefe  Creatures,  Gratitude  to  God, 
ration  and  Love  are  incumbent  on  her.  Without  her 
snce  all  Nature  would  be  mute ;  but  by  her  Mediation, 
y  Part  of  it  proclaims  the  Glory  of  that  Being  from 
m  they  received  their  Exillance  and  amiable  Qualities, 
fon  alone  is  fenfible  fhe  is  in  his  Prefence  ;  fhe  alone 
ws  what  f>ie  receives  from  his  Bounty,  and  enjoys  the 
:imable  Happinefs  of  being  able  to  adore  him,,  for  all 

is  either  in  or  around  her ;  and  as  there  is  Reafon  iip- 
Earth,  confequently  there  ought  to  be  Pveligian,.  and 
I  fhould  be  devout  in  Proportion  to  his  Rationality.  It 
)parent  that  his  Religion  is  only  weak,  according  as  his 
fon  is  funk  and  perverted ;  which  always  happens  when 
Minately  defires  Attainments  that  furpafs  him,  or  ne- 
Is  to  inrich  himfelf  with  what  was  intended  for  his  In- 
^ion  and  Exercife. 

'his,  my  dear  Che^valier,  is  a  flight  Sketch  of  the  Ad- 
tages  and  Prerogatives  of  Reafon  5  and  they  are  doubt- 
fo  confiderable,  that  Man,  far  from  having  any  Caufe 
omplain  of  his  Condition,  ought  to  be  furprifed  at  the 
ligious  Variety  of  Informations  and  Productions  he  is 
ible  of  accomplifhing.  And  the  more  fenfible  he  is 
:he  Dignity  and  Excellence  of  Reafon,  the  more  he 
reives  the  Neceffity  of  cultivating  and  improving  it : 
the  capital  Point,  wherein  this  Cultivation  confiils,  is 
3e  conflantly  exercifmg  our  Faculties  on  Obje6ls  fuited 
their  Power,  and  which  make  us  better  and  more 
py. 

jCt  us  judge  of  our  proper  Behaviour  on  a  thoufand  Oc- 
ons,  by  that  which  we  ought  to  obferve  in  a  fingle  In- 
Lce.  Nothing  is  more  lovely  than  the  Light,  nothing, 
re  worthy  to  exercife  our  Underftanding  than  that  Ob- 

which  gives  Beauty  to  all  Nature.     Let  us  inform  our- 

P  ^  felves 


320  J  LETTER  /rem  ihe    " 

felves  at  leaft  then,  of  one  Part  of  what  may  be  known  o 
it,  and  efpecially  of  what  may  be  known  to  Advantage 
But  to  make  the  Thing  more  intelligible,  we  fnail  ufe  ; 
very  familiar  Image. 

I  iind  myMf  in  a  Stage-Coach  with  two  Philofophers 
whofe  Sentiments  are  almoU  dianietricaily  oppofite.     W{ 
will  fappofe  our  Journey  began  long  before  Day,  and  thai 
all  the  intervening  Time  v/as  paffed  in  Sleep  or  Diffatif- 
fadion  ;  but  at  laii  the  Dawn  appears,  and  we  are  all  a- 
wake:    Some  Reiieaions  on  the  ineilimable    Benefit   of[ 
Light  and  Colours  create  a  Difpute  between  my  two  Phi-i|, 
lofophers,  and  give  them  an  Opportuaity  of  reafoning  on" 
the  Nature  of  Light :  One  pretends,  not  only  to  explain^! 
what  it  is  in  itfelf,  but  likewife  our  own  particular  Idea  of| 
it.  ^  Kis  Adverfary  £nds  both  the  one  and  the  other  unin- 
tcllig  ble,  and  concludes  with  obferving,  that  Maninhisi 
whole  Extent  is  not  above  fix  Feet  high,  and.  yet  fancies  | 
he  has  a  real  Idea  of  an  Altitude  of  ninety  or  a  hundred  !• 
Feet;  of  the  Extent  of  a  Plain,  or  the   Diftance  of  thol 
Stars  from  our  Earth.     From  whence  he  obferves,  that  it. 
being  a  manifeil  Abfurdity  to  afHrm  one  can  have  in  him- j 
ielf,  the  real  Idea  and  Meafure  of  an  Objedl  by  which  he 
is  exceeded  in  Dimenfions,  it  muil  confequently  be  impof-  j 
fible  to  fee,  and  that  there  is  no  Reality  in  Vifion  ,•  that ! 
^VQij  Thing  is  abfurd  and  uncertain,  and  that  he  himfelf 
is  not  even  fure,  whether  he  is  in  our  Company  or  not,  in 
the  Coach.     I  liiten  to  them  both,  and  when  the  Warmth' 
of  the  Argument  is  a  little  abated,    they  appeal  to  my 
Decifion.     Gentlemen,  fay  I,  permit  me  to  acquaint  you 
with  my  Sentiments  without    Referve.      The   Difcourfe 
began  with  enumerating  the  Advantages  and  Ufe  of  Light 
and  Colours ;  and  you  turn  your  Eyes  from  a  plain  Quef- 
tion,  whofe  Solution  is  very  obvious,  to  cafl  them  on  two 
Labyrinths    of   Difliculties    immaterial     to    the    prefent 
Affair.  ^ 

One  of  you,  being  accuflomed  to  hefitate  on  no  Point, 
pretends  to  explain  the  Nature  of  Light,  and  the  Idea  v/e 
entertain  of  it  ;  the  ether  habituated  to  doubt  of  every 
Thing,  is  not  even  certain  he  fees  the  Day.  One  would 
know  what  in  all  Probability  is  concealed  from  us;  the' 
other  Vv'ould  be  ignorant  of  what  we  really  perceive.  Let 
us  obferve  a  Medium,  and  endeavour  to  know  and  improve 

v/hzt 


Fnor  D  E  J  O  N  V  A  L,  yr.       .  321 

at  we  have  in  our  Power,  inllead  of  purfuing  what  is 
bidden,  or  faffering  what  we  pollefs  to  remain  ufelefs. 
hat  would  you  think  Gentlemen,  of  two  young  Appren- 
is  to  a  Clock-maker,  who  having  received  from  their 
liler  Brafs  and  Tools  to  make  a  Wheel,  iliould  fpend 
:  Day  in  difputing  on  the  Nature  of  the  Metal  put  into 
ir  Hands  ?  Light  and  Colours  which  are  the  Subje6l  of 
ir  Difpute,  were  intended  to  condudl  us,  and  not  be  the 
itter  of  our  Difquifitions  and  fpeculative  Difagreements. 
I  would  willingly  penetrate  into  all  its  Properties,  be- 
ife  we  find  ourielves  curious ;  or  elfe  deny  its  Exigence,. 
:aufe  the  Nature  of  it  appears  incomprehenfible.     Thefe 

two  Extremes  equally  difcommendable.  Let  us  there- 
e  enjoy  Light  and  Colours,  without  making  too  deep 
fearches  after  what  they  are  in  themfelves ;  or  if  wc? 
7Q  an  Inclination  to  reafon  on  that  Subject,  let  it  be  pro- 
tioned  to  our  Capacity,  and  always  v/ith  a  View  of 
rie  new  Advantage  ;  and  fo  without  knov/ing  the  Na- 
e  either  of  Light,  or  the  Glafs  through  which  its  Rays 
tranfmitted,  we  may  make  the  Glafs,  and  modify  the 
[fagc  of  the- Light  in  fuch  a  Manner  as  to  aihft  the  weak-- 

Eyes,  caufe  the  moil  diftant  Objeds  to  approach  us^ 
i  magnify  thofe  whofe  Minuteneis  makes  them  ihrink 
m  our  View. 

This  is  a  laudable  Manner  of  exercifmg  our  Underiland- 
r  and  Hands  with  regard  to  Light :  Or,  if  we  will  con-^ 
\  our  Minds  to  Speculations  and  Reafonings,  let  us 
jofe  fuch  as  may  inrich  that  Faculty  with  fome  undeni- 
ie  Truths,  capable  of  improving  us  by  afFording  better 
rormations,  and  making  us  more  affeded  with  what  we 
ve  received. 

For  Example,  if  Vv^e  only  confider  the  Ufe  of  this- 
ght,  which  was  the  Point  in  Debate  between  you,  is 
;re  net  a  vifible  Defign  in  it,  a  charming  Grandeur  and 
neficialnefs  ?  A  Moment  ago,  all  Nature  was  plunged 
Darknefs,  and  every  Cbjed  was  dead  to  us,  becaufe 
I  Gloom  deprived  us  of  their  Ufe  :  But  the  Re-appear-^ 
ce  of  Light  in  fome  Meafure  raifes  Nature  from  Anni- 
[ation,  and  reilores  its  Benefits  to  Mankind. 
But  this  alone  is  not  fufncient  to  make  Objeds  diflin- 
iihable ;  were  they  all  of  the  fame  Complexion  they 
)uld  be  confounded  by  the  Eye  s  but  you  fee  they  are 

P  5  clothed 


322  A  l.ETTl£.K  from  the 

clothed  with  a  Livery  or  rather  bear  a  Ticket,  that  ran-, 
ders  them  dillind;  and  by  their  Surfaces  eafy  to  be  dif-. 
tinguifhed  and  perceived,  which  laves  Mankind  the  Labour" 
of  long  Searches,  and  the  Uncertainty  of  thofe  Reafonings^ 
lie  would  otherwife   make  on  their  various  Natures,  thatfj 
he  might  not  confound  them  :  With  Refped  to  the  Vari- 
ety of  Colours,  fome  are  foft  and  friendly  to  the  Eye,  par- 
ticularly green  ;  others  melancholy  and  languifhing,    as 
brown  and  black;    fome   lively  and  dazzling,  as  white.j 
and  red  :  And  if  large  Quantities  of  thefe  two  laft  Colours--; 
had  been  fhed  over  the  Surface  of  the  Earth,  our  Sight.j 
would  have  been  fatigued.     Did  Black  frequently  make  its. 
Appearance   in  Nature,   it    would   have  arrayed    her  in 
Mourning  ;  but  let  Green  be  generally  unfolded,  the  Eye 
will  be  aided  and  refrefhed,.  without  our  knowing  the  Rea- 
fon  ;   and  therefore  we  fee  that  the  fame  Creator  who 
formed  the  Eye,  has   difFufed  over  Hills  and  Plains,  and 
all  Nature  around  us,  that  foft  and  fmiling  Verdure,  which 
is  fo accommodated  and  convenient  to  the  Sight,  and  yet,, 
that  he  might  not  by  too  univerfal  a  Green  defeat  the  ge- 
neral Intention  of  diflinguifhing  Objeds,  I  obferve  that 
the  Verdure  of  a  Meadow  differs  from   that  of     fowed, 
Land  ;  that  every  Tree  and  Plant  has  its  peculiar  Tinge, 
and  the  Shadings  of  the  fame   Colour  diveriify  in  fuch  a 
Manner  the  Habit  given  to  each  Body,  that  they  are  all 
known  and  eafily  diflinguifhed. 

Thefe  are  the  firil  Thoughts  that  occur  to  me  on  the  Sub 
jeft  of  Light,  and  by  which  I  endeavour  to  reclaim  my^ 
Travellers  from  Prefumption  and  Uncertainty,  to  plair 
and  palpable  Truths;  and  fuch  are  thofe  which  are  pre 
fented  to  us  in  all  we  fee,  provided  we  conllantly  confiin 
ourfelves  to  what  is  fimpie,  beneficial,  and  necelTary ;  e- 
qualiy  avoiding  the  Extremes  of  perpetually  creeping^ 
when  we  have  Wings  to  raife  us,  and  immoderately  foar 
ing,  when  we  are  once  aloft. 

All  that  has  been  faid  may  be  reduced  to  a  Maxim 
eafily  retained  and  pradifed.  With.Refped  to  all  creates 
Things  that  rife  to  our  View,  there  are  but  three  Particu 
lars  wherein  we  can  fix  a  Determination  :  One  mufl  be, 
a  Refoiution  to  know  nothing  ;  the  fecond,  a  Defire  to  com 
prehend  the  Whgk ;  and  the  third,  an  Inclination  to  fearcl  ^ 

aft^r 


Prior  D  E  J  O  N  V  A  L,  £5?^.       323 

Fter  and  improve  to  the  bed  Advantage  whatever  we  are 
ipable  of  knowing.  The  firfl  Determination  is  a  Piece 
f  Indolence  that  runs  into  mere  Stupidity ;  the  fecond  is 
Temerity  which  is  conilantly  punifhed,  and  the  third  is 
Refolutiun  of  Prudence,  which,  without  afpiring  to  what 
arpaffesthe  Capacity  of  Man,  is  exercifed  with  Modelly, 
nd  gratefully  ufes  what  was  made  for  our  Enjoyment. 


I  am,  G?A 


F.  6 


IN  D"E  X. 


I    N    D    E   X. 


N.  B.  The  Letters  i.  and  ii.  denote  the  Firji  and  Se- 
cond PartSy  the  Figures  the  Pages  of  each. 

A. 

'j^IRy  its  Elafllcity  or  Spring,  Part  ii.  Pa^e  1S9^  2.^^- 

"  Occafions  the  Strength  or   Imbecillity  of  Plants, 

i'.  272. 

^Ir-pumpyE-Kpev'iments  on  a  Carp,  ii,  23^5. 

^ioe  of  China,  a  wonderful  Plant,  ii.  287,     Contains  three  Sorts  of 

Wood.      Defcrlprion   of  them.     Difhes,   Plates,  &c.  made    of   its 

Leaves.    Yields  a  very  plealan  t  Liquor.     Wood  of  the  Branches  good 

to  eat,  :2.Z2. 

jintmalcnla  have  every  Thing  in  little,  that  we  poffefs  in  larger   Di- 

merfions,  i.  10.     Notingendered  by  Putrifa£lion,  ir. 

jimmals  of  innimerable  Kinds  in  the  different  Elements,  ii.         224. 

Why  the  Figures  of  fome  are  afchbed  to  the  Conftellations,    302. 

&  pq, 
Jlnts,  &c.  their  Srru£iiire,  i.  127.     Their  Habitation,  Streets,  Store- 
houfes,^  12S.     Provifions,    indefatigable  and  regular    in   procuring 
them,  ihiiL  and  129.     Whether  they  have   Granaries,  ihid.     Grea: 
Care  and  Ten dernefs  of  their  Young.  Ihid^ 

jirtifice^s,  their  feveral  Implements  or  Tools  worthy  our  Curlofity,  i. 
54.     Advantage  of  knov/ing  them,  ibid.     The  great  Benefit  Man- 
kind reap  from  Artificers,  ii,  212.  &  feci. 
-rf/jr,    his  many  ^good    Qiialities,    Submiffivenefs,  ii.   211,    and  212. 
Occupations,  ibid,  and  213.     Compared  co  a  heavy  and  pacific  Peo- 
P'^'  ibid^ 
^firohiy,  (judicial)  the  Folly  of  it,                                              ii.  307. 
Aviary,  Plejfures  of  it,                                                                       it.   159. 
^ti^tUa  of  Infeas,   what,  i.    18.     Defcription   of  its  extraordinary 
Texrure,                                                                                       28,  29. 
The  Anrelia  of  ^  CatcfpH/ar,  fometime  produaiveof  a  Swarm  of  lit- 
tle Flies,                                              ^                                      i.  32., 

B 

B  ^4'  °f  ^^i^\''  defcribed.  Part  I.  P^^e  66,  67. 

Mark,  (the)   or  Peruvian   Cortex.      Called  likewife  Quinquina, 

^.^rk  of  Trees  its  coni^ituent  Parrs  and  Angular  Ufe,  ii*  l%l 

'Be^Jis,  twild}  hard  to  be  tamed;  fo  as  to  prove  of  A<X\  antage  t  )*  Man, 

i  •  202. 
— —  (TameJ 


INDEX. 

fTame)  their  ereat  Ufe  to  Man,  '"',"': 

'"  '^d  .JwrsfSJ;  ^s-s'.rxs 

a  "kern.    Xfa'i.,  .0  *.  m^i«  »>  «"  »'  "*•■  ^- 

hunters,  i.  8 

7reis,  «7-     ^  ^"^^        -cd^.^j-.M,    8«      Thc'ir  Form,  Taws,  Trunk^ 
'bid.     Her  prodigious  Fecundity,  «a.    /r  f     r    uv      T?^rrhpr  n^. 

:!1'  HowafftUkd  moncHive.  9,,  ^c.    Theyounj  Bees  ,o.n 

fsrafdtn  one  Day,  96.     Thefe  vaftiy  more  complete  chaa  a  Wajp^s 

^^  r;,ve  m«ct, longer  than  Wafps,  97-  A  ^'1^  .P'.^^f^^^;""  "/^^f 
by  them  with  refpea  to  ti'.e  Led^e  at  the  E"trapce  ,..0  the  r  Lodges 
ih  and  9?.  Their  HaWtarions  become  ftronger  by  T.me,  andttr 
whatSon,  98.  TWO  Sorts  of  Wax  tnade  by  them,  and  a  De- 
fcriptlonof  each,  ,00.  How  employed  by  them,  J t^^-  ^^  P,f- 
pofit.on  of  the  Cells,  104.  In  ^harnrranner  they  co^lea  and  empl^^ 
their  Wax,  !k!d,  &c.     Infiarces  ot  the.r  Oeconomy,  •°4-    T^^"^ 

focial  Spirit  and  other  go^d  Qiial'ttes.  Flnwers        '  1 1  ^* 
Go  fometimes  four  or  fix  Miles  to  fuck  the  Flowers,   __    i'3. 

!,V/sof  Birds,  a  great  D.fparity  in  their  Saes,  ,08,^/ 

lees  (wild)  a  particular  Account  of  them,     .„  „  ..    '•  \  l'"°'J: 
\Z%s  Flight  very  aftonlflVmg,  11.  i  SJ.     AH  fly  m  a  d.fferent  m^an- 

^"fntertaining  Account  of  the  different  Materials  and  Stri.autes  of 

Ve^N's    -1    ir9,    &c.    Particularly  the  S^^^aUows  Neft     P^.. 

l6^■     The  furpriih^g  Change  of  their  natural   D.fpofit.ons  durmg 

■  hd  Incuba  on,  163      The  Affidui.y  of  the  M-de  m  tendmg  on  h,s 

Maedurmgtha   Period,  m.- ^The  Manner  of  the.r  rear- 

^fthe,  Young,  166,  167,  -68,  &c.  The  Form  of  aB.rd,  7,. 
TheC  op.  Gizzard,  ^nd  Struaure  of  the  Bones,  and  the.r  excellent 
Jccommodation  to  Ae  AmmarsFllght,  Md.    The  hne  D.fpof.non 

J.^'rs%^i  like  a  Nipple,  and  filled  with  Oil,  with  which 
^eBird  aloints'and  drefe  its  Feathers,  mf  and  I7^     G^-t  vv,f 

■  dom  in  the  PUy  of  the  Wings  and  Tail,  ikd.    The  Ta,l  lei  ves  a^sj^ 
'  Rudder, 

"Birds 


I    N   D    E    JC. 

3»r<ij  of  Prey  how  trained  up,  ;j     «      , 

——— Their  Journiescrofs  Seas  very  extraordJnart;      '      ?.' *^-' 
•Strd,  of  the  Nigilt  fond  of  Gloom,  i'^  198.    The  rV.fe  doU** 
Form  hideous,  and  Cruelty  very  great,  iL    Haun«.^°^ieuii 
BWs?  malignant  Demons.  ,59.    Attacked  by  the  oth« 

2»-.f.  built  with  the  Bones  of  Whales,    Ufed  by  the  Gr«,W*'J( 
"Botany,  a  very  agreeable  Study,  "'  ^♦^  ' 

"^"^irt  "  '"*"''^"'  ^^'""'P«°"  of  'heir  Produaion  from  Ca«r^'' 
AIlKinds  of  Butterflies  painted  in  a  Box,  ;''  |*' 

(Owl)  Butterflies  that  appear  only  in  the  Night,  jX 

ButterfliesthatappearintheDay,  •     "2' 

T^oftofaHmple  and  uniform  Colour.  -^-j 

-;j;^Tmaured  with  Variety  of  Colours.'  The  great  Beauty  of 

'^eFea^h°e?f/''°^'"'''"^*"'^'<''»  *^''W'"e^ 

ibid* 

C 

(^^^./,  its  valuable  Qualities,  p^„.ji.  />^^^  ^x, 

Caterptllars,  .'^'^' 

"l^h^eeUS:  °'*^'"  "'"*'*  ^'^^''y ''-wn  amount  t^ 
-—— What  the  feveral  Species  have  in  common,  x,V.  Rings,  Fe«, 

■ — —  Precipitate  themfelves  from   Trees  by  a  gummv  Thread^ 

when  m  Danger.    The  furprifing  Texture  of  this  Thread  :S-^' 

-Their  Hair.     The  great  Ufa  of  it.  5    Jf';- 

Colours  preferve  them  from  Birds.  ■ 

Their  Policy  in  feizing  InfeSs.  .'•  ** 

Their  Food.  '•.  ^^ 

Their  Uft,.          ,  .   '*'''• 

"TeJ^llrr.?",'.")-""'  '•  ^^•'■^^'■"^  '^°'"''''  ■■•  ^8-  TheSubilancea^" 
files'  To  f '  r'P"r°'^  '^  '}r  Transformation  imoBut  er- 
fl.es,  ,.  Z9,  30  6:c.  Some  build  in  Stone  or  Wood,  in  which 
they  fcoop  a  K,nd  of  Coffin,  6-c.  Others  affume  the  ForJ,  orahf- 
rie  Mummy  30,  Spin  themfelves  a  warm  RobefortheWnrer  ,, 
iTdeTrifd":     '"  ^''''  =■"'  'P''^''"'  Habitations,  whofe  St'aure 

— -—  Caterpillars  fometimes  produce  Swarms  of  little  Flies  and 
IxZJvl'^f''-'-  5^-  A"J"ft»°«°f=»Caterpilia?^,proLS 
^crS'/tt^cr^t"    "*^^"'^'°  ^f-"'-'  33.    /fine'i:;;^- 

^"In'^'  ,'rnT'i  ^'r'i'  '°  "'"■  "•  ^°S.    Care  of  their  Young,  'let 
rrnfwVr*'^°/*'"^°"°g'°' 'heir  Dams,  ^'   -i^^- 

C<//<_of  Wafps.    Exceeding  regular,  j   ,;  '  ; 

iZ\  *  ***'"'''  '°  ""  ^"^^^'f^  «f  i''  fro™  tbe  Cenerofity*  of 'the 

3>  a*^ 


INDEX.     ' 

co/4^^  ii.  ^93.    Of  what  made,  ih^ 

•yA/» of  Infers,  what,               ,,.,.*  ..^'  ^^ 

namon,  the  Bark  of  a  Tree  found  only  m  Ceytotu  11.  294 

buUtunder-ground,  in  a  grand  Manner  by  Wafps.  Defcr.pcon 

3f  ir,  ..  *•  '^^ 

^et'caty  isa  Beaver  in  Miniature,  »J;  2.21 

ivf.  grows  on  a  Tree  of  the  fame  Name,  «.  294 

oaUree,  Plantations  of  thefe  of  great  Value,  ,        ".  293 

^/«^^/,  aninfea.     How  managed.    Brood,  i'  ^V^  ^^^^ 

i-£]j3   their  great  Rendezvous  is  before  Neivfoundland,    Prodigioufly 
numerous  there.     Vaftly  fond  of  Whitings,  ii.22^ 

ffee.  a  little  Berry  gathered  from  a  Tree  in  Arabia  Felix,  n.  93 

Lri    wonderfully  beautiful  in  the  Wings  of  fome  Butterflies,  1.36, 

nesy  of  Silk-worms,  «•  4^.  &J^^* 

Ufeful  on  feveral  Occafions,  ,       'l-"^? 

_  Produce  near.  2000  Feet  of  Thread  in  Length  each,  which 

weigh  no  more  than  two  Grains  and  an  half,  ^  ^  1.  JO 

n  II  t'  IX.  300  &  Jeq, 

7n'  maybepreferved  an  hundred  Years,,  ii.  Z9T-     How  preferved, 
ibid,  296.     Advantage  of  floring  it,  *^*^.  and  297 

orr«pf/o«  of  a  Body,  what,  ,  ••  **  J^ 

,rro«-rr^«.  of  three  Kinds.     The.r  Fruit,  .  "'.  ?^^ 

,«»frv,  every  one  ftoredwith  Remedies  for  the  Diftempers  incident 

to  it  '"'  ^^^ 

rahsy  their  Eyes  and  Shell.    Caft  the  latter  once  a  Year,  i.  iji.  Their 

Eyes  are  really  Stones,  ..  ^''^'^' 

r^«^^,  the  Manner  of  their  Flight,  T^  r""i!^/ 

YQcodiley  ii.  244.    Seldom  above  twenty-five  Feet  long.  Defcnbed. 

Its  Enemies,  ..           *i^' 

^miofity,  alaudablePrinciplewhen  well  regulated,  n.  3io,€*^f. 

r\  Ffoy  of  Birds,  an  agreeable  Sport,  Part  ii.  Page  199  aiid  ^00 

^  Deity,  his  Power,  .       .  u  •   j  vt.i     w  ^^^ 

[)^/irgtf,   (Univerfal)  the  whole  Earth  covered  with  mdel'ble  Monu- 
ments of  it,  _  _  ^         »•  ^5*4 
Dor    acuriousone,ii.  2o5.     His  various  Paffions,  207.     Sorrow,  Joy, 
FriendOiip,  ibid.     Courage,  good  Qiialities  of  various^  Dogs,    i/»/^. 
The  Terrier,  Grey-hound,  Setting-dog,                        tbid,  and  208 
r)QgSy  how  taught  to  diftinguilh  Cards,  "•  ^^^ 
Dr^pow-J^y,  Defcription  of  it,                                                   V-^^^'  *1^ 
0ro*«,  the  fecond  Species  of  Bees.     They  contribute  nothing  to  the 
common  Stock,  have  no  Stings,  i.  U,     Are  only  (o  many  Stallions, 
88.     Moft  of  them  expelled  the  Hive  at  the  Approach  ot  Winter. 
Manner  of  the   Expulfion.     What  becomes  of  them  afterwards, 

ibid,  ind  89 

^mklings,  hatched  by  a  Hen.    Great  Anxiety  of  the  Dam  at  iheir  go« 

ifjg  into  the  Water^  "•  ^^^ 


INDEX, 


l£^^&^h  of  great  Advantage  to  a  Gentleman  by  catering  for    him, 

Partii.  Tnge  192, 

Ravage  they  make  in  the  Countries  adjacent  to  their  Nefts, 

ii.   iQ^.i 
Three  or  four  of  their  Nefts  fufficient  to  furnifh  a   fplendidj 


Table  perpetually,  y^ 

Eggsoilnkas,  i,  i^^  ^^^ 

'  None  abandoned  by  the  Parent  to  Chance,  i.  14, 

< Why  laid  by  different ^ww.^/ca/^  in  varicus  Sorts  of  Subftan. 

ces,  io  14,  ly.     Experimentof  this  on  two  Slices  of  Beef,  ibid, 
Contain  minute  Animals.     When  impregnated  by  the  Male,  I 

Eggs  of  Wafps,  Worms  proceed  from  them,  i'  73! 

^l^.i  (Bird's)  ii.  165.     Ddfcripcionof  it,  164.     Egg  performs  to  young 

Birds  the  Office  of  a  Breaft  and  Milk,  ibid.     Seed  where  the  Worm 

refides,  ibid.     The  Ligament?,  166.     The  Bird  breaks  the  Shell, 

ibid.    Some  young  ones  feed  themfelves,  others  fed  by  the  Parent, 

ibid.     Where  they  get  Provifions,  167, 

Eggs  in  a  freih  Cod  tt)  the  Number  of  nine  Millions  three  hundred  and 

forty  frur  thoufand,  ii.  231 

Elephant,  its  great  Docility,  ji.'  211* 

Ever-grecm,  •,•,'  2^^* 

Experiments,  Advar.tages of  them,  ii,  236* 


■p^'^konry,  Praifeof  that  noble  Diverfion, 

•*■     Fer^j,  its  Seedy 

Fibres  of  Wood,  their  Ufe, 

Fig-trre, 

FJh,    their  Clothing,    the  Glew,   Scales,    Lard. 
Providence  difplayed  in  thcf?, 

•— ■•  The  numberlefs  Sorts  in  the  Ocean, 

F'flj's,  their  Wars,  Food,  Generation,  ii.  229,  230.  Making  per- 
petual Depredations  on  on.i  anotiier,  ibid.  Great  Fecundity,  ibid» 
and  231.  End  or  Intention  in  ir,  ibid.  Form  or  Figure,  Tail,  252. 
Fins,  great  Advantages  of  rhefe  to  Filh,  ibid.  Bladder  or  Bag  of 
Air,  233.  Sufiainsitin  the  Water,  234.  Contraaed  or  dilated  ac 
Pleasure,  235-.  Gills,  a  ki^d  of  Lungs,  ibid,  Lobfters,  Oyflers, 
&i.  have  no  Occafion  for  thefe  Bags,  237.     Fins  ufed  as  Needles, 

Fijhery  (Pearl)  Coafls  where  'tis  carried  on,  unhealthy,  i.  1 5-2* 

Fijhery  (Whale)  Defcription  of  it,  ii.  242. 

Fly,  \s  Head  covered  with  a  Profufion  of  Gold  and  Pearls,  i.  7. 

F/y  (common  one)  its  Eye  of  afurprizing  Struaure,  i.  114.  Winp:s» 
Packet  of  Sponges,  great  Cleanlinefs  of  the  Fly,  iij,  &c.  Trunk, 
a   Piercer,  116.     Its  Ufes,  117. 

Flax,  much  of  the  fame  Nature  with  Hemp,  ii.  28/.    How  gathered, 

ibid. 
Flowers^ 


11. 

188* 

The 

11.  2J-0. 
)i.    166. 

ii.  28c, 
Wifdom    of 

u.  22^, 
ii 

226. 
ibid. 

I   N    D    E    X. 

hmu,  •.-..  176-    Tbeir  Leaves,  a  Kind  of  Pallfade  to  them    277. 

o      J     "R   ^  tPtu*  jLJo* 

^/f./MenVill  hardly  ever  be  able  to  attain  that  Art,  "li.  174.  Ad- 
vantage s  that  would  accrue  from  it  to  Men,  ibid.  The  many  greater 
Difad vantages,  ibid,  andiyf.  Anabfolutc  ^^^^^'^^'^''^'.'1^;^ 
ornricaleo,  the  moft  terrible  Enemy  tothe  Ant  ..  130.  ^^^ffJ'P^^^ 
ofit,  ni.  Inftruments,  /i-;^.  It  walks,  backward,  ^W.  Its 
Manfions,  ibid.  Great  Dexterity  in  fcooping  up  the  ^^^;^'  ^^^ 
which  it  forms  a  Ditch,  1 32.  Lyes  in  AmbuQi,  ihid.  Irs  arttul  At- 
tack of  its  Prey,  and  ^.reat  Patience,  133.  Craft,  P^od'S!;-:^^  ^^- 
flinence,  r^  Its  Tomb,  134.  Apartment  extremely  beaut.ful, 
ibid.     Its  Change  to  a  Dragon-Fly  of  a  beautiful  Kmd,  1  3  5^- 

G 

-^  All-nnu  itsOrigin  verycunoiis,  Parti,  ^t^^^^^^^,  ^f. 

-^  Garden,  Pleafure of  cultivaclng  them,  »•  2.97,  29a. 

H^nti^'fi,  its  Roots  good  for  Fevers,  ])'  ^  ' 

rlero  oi  Fifh,  its  great  Ules,  11.  2.4^* 

?;:;romei;ythLEggsin  the  water,  i.  123.  Their  extraord.^^^^^^^ 
Transformations  in  their  three  States,  ibid,  and  124.  ^  The,r  TrunK, 
one  of  the  greateft  Wonders  in  Nature;  Anatomy  of  it,  ibid^  ±iow 
they  wound,  i.r.     Ceafe  to  eat  in  the  Winter  Seafon,  |^^^- 

hillotalpa,  or  Mole-Cricket.  Defcnpt.on  of  it,  1.  ibid  ^^^^.^^^^^ 
Eggs,  126.  A  black  Animal,  a  mortal  Enemy  to  the  GxiUotalpa. 
ibid.     Its  Precaution  in  digging  its  Neft,  ..      J 

rttms,  kill  Plants  by  flopping  up  all  the  Air  Veliels,  w.  ^7^ 

H 

HAwliy  how  taught  to  fly  at  Hares,  wild  Boars,  &c.  Part  li.  Tag.  191 
Hawkinsi,  Defcription  of  that  Sport,  "•  ^^o* 

/^i^^%,  gets  Provifions  by  rolling  himfelf  over  Apples,  Grapes,  &^ 

fleeps  during  the  Severity  of  the  Winter,     ^      ^  .  "*  f  i  j; 

T.m;,,  ii.  285-.     TheTow,  r^/V.     GreacUfeSof  It,  ^86. 

7f«^,  Advantages  of  them,  ..    ,,«•,/' 

: Their  great  Tendernefs  to  their  Yoimg,  ".  IC)«,  169. 

Heron   Defcription  of  it,  li.  17^.     How  ift  procures  Food,  i^j^, 

F/.rr4.,  their  Voyages  very  regular,  ii.  228.     Motives  of  them,  t.^. 

to  gather  a  Kind  of  Manna,  t7„^,^„  rt. 

Hippopotamus,  or  River-Horfe,  an  amphibious  Animal,  an  Enemy  to 

the  Crocodile.  *I*  ^^* 

Ff*':;^,  Profit  it  brings  to  the  Owner,  .    ,^'*  *'* 

Ffo«.;,  defcnbed,  ^^   ^  ^  "   '°^V*^S' 

. L.^Whzt,  I.  ibid.     Howcolleaed,  »-?ff- 

Ffor«...,  Drones,  or  wild  Bees,  i.  107.  T^^'^,^,"^^t:,'tth  ioo* 
ibid.  Their  King  or  Queen,  to8.  Progrels  of  the  Monarch,  109. 
Ho'v  all  are  died  up  to  Work.  ibid.  Their  Food,  ibid.  Death  of 
their  Monarch,  no.     A  Battle,  ,,     ^    ^       u-.  ,,oinolu 

Horfe,  ii.  104.  Ought  to  be  called  King  of  the  Beafts.  His  valuable 
Qualities,  Beauty,  Induftry,  Swiftnefs,  Valour,;Wi.  andioj".  «-om- 
pared  to  Nations  who  are  fond  of  Glitter  and  Hurry,  aiS- 


I    N   D    E    X 

mtnming'Bird,  peculiar  to  America,  not  bigger  than  a  large  Fly :  its 
Plumage  exceeding  beautiful,  ii.  182.  FJies  with  prodigious  Swift- 
ntisy  feeds  on  Dews,  &c*  183.     Combats  with  a  large  Bird,        ibid* 

I 

JCbneumon,  a  kind   of  Water-Rat,    a  great  Enemy  to  the  Crocodile, 

timr  Partii.  244 

yolatry,  fome  probable  Caufes  of  it,  ii.  244.,  245 

^nJeBsy  a  hundred  Curiofities  obfcrvable  in  them.     Afford  us   infinite. 

matter  ot   Aftoni/hment,  j..  5 

—  Their  Definition  and  Divifion,  .  a 

Minutenefs,  a  Subjea  of  Admiration,  '  i.  ibid, 

' Cloa thing,  vaftly  beautiful,  i,  5. 

*— —  Arms,  offenfive  and  defenfive,  ibid. 

^""*'  Organs  and  Tools,  i.  ibid,  6,  7 

^  Origin,  from  an  Egg  or  a  Seed.     Their  firft  State,  i.  9 

'"         Generation-  regular,  and  not  from  Corruption,  i.  to,  i 2^ 

—  The  Wifdom  of  the  Creator   viiiblc  in  the  Compofition  of  In- 

"— -  Their  fecond  State,  ^  i,  16 

— -  Intermediate  State,  i.   ig.- 

^"fi^^,  lafl  State,  or  great  and  final  Metamorphcfis,  i.  jg 

^^e^s,  (if^  really  die  before  they  undergo  the  fevcral  Metamorphofej, .. 

.  i.  21 

"~  Their  wife  Precautions  and  Stratagems  to  fccure  themfelves  Iron* 
^^^ds>  i.  24,  25 

■— *  Food,  generally  of  one  kind,  i.  26 

— —  Ufe,  to  nouri/h   young  Birds,  i.  27 

— —  Duration,  only  till  the  young  Birds  have  no  Oecafion  for  them, 

•*^/r/«(9,.  Wonders  of  it,  ii,  161 

K 

J^Nowledge,  fometimes  mifapply'd.  Part  5i.  Page  310 

—  A  Medium  to  be  obferved  in  our  Purfuit  of  it,  31^ 

L 

J^Eaves  of  Trees,  their  Ufe,  Part  ii.  Pi^e  267 

.  Their  Fall.    Caufe  of  it,.  ii.  270 

iT'  S^  the  Advantage  and  Pleafure  of  the  Study,  of  Phyfics,  and 

Objedions  to  that  Study, .  ii.  306,  &  feq. 

Y.fter,  on  the  Extent  and  Limits  of  Reafon,  ii,  309,  &  feq. 

^^fey  compar'd  to  a  Traveller,  ii.  312 

^ight,  its  aftonifhing  EflFeas,  ii.  321,  ^  jeq,: 
i^.ure,  Dcfcription  of  it,  ii.  189.    Birds  of  Prey,  how  taught  to  fly  at 

M  ^ 

J\)J-^«,    humbled  by  the  Deftruaion  which   the  meaneft   Animals 

brmg upon  him.  Parti.  Page  27,  2S 

Manna,   a  Sugar,   or  Spccis«  of  aatuial  Honey,  that  flows  from  the 

i*eaves  of  a  Tree,  '  ii.  291 


II 


I    N   D    E    X. 

etamorpbofes,  (Ovid's)  the  Ufe  that  ought  to  be  made  of  them,  i.  17 
ttamorpbofesy  extraordinary  ones  of  fome  AnimaJs,  ibid,  &  Jeq* 

icrofcopeiy  the  Wonders  they  difplay,  i«   * 

oo«,  has  no  Influence  over  Plants,  ii.  29S,  &c.  Whence  it  was 
fuppofed  to  have  an  Influence  300^ 

ofs,   kills  Plants  by  clofwig  all  their  Air-veffels,  ii.  274, 

otby  its  Habitation  in  Stufi^s,  Defcription  of  it,  manner  of  feeding,  i. 
35.  Changes  to  a  Nymph,  and  then  into  a  Butterfly.  Prefervatives 
againft  Moths,  3^ 

'oufe  (Field)  ii,  217.  His  very  commodious  Habitation  under  Ground. 
Provifion,  '^'^« 

'ufchy  (Sea)  i.  137.  Spins,  ibid.  Tongue,  Motion,  138,  and  139. 
The  Thread.     Its  Mechanifm,  ibid,  and  140 

'u[cley  (Sea)  of  the  large  kind,  fpins  exceeding  fifl«  Silk,  i.  H^* 
The  Shell  of  fome  above  two  Feet  long,.  i*  i'^o 

lupmniy  has  Seed^  "•  ^5^ 

N 

lArvaly  its  Teeth  more  efteemed  than  thofe  of  the  Elephant^. 
^  Part  ii»  Vagt  241 

^aturcy  the  View  of  it  inchanting,  ^  i»  9 

—  All  Nature  full  of  Animals,  J*  15 
Its  Wifdom,   in  giving  Weapons  ofFenfive  and   defenfive  to  all 

Animals,  »•  *4>  *5 

—  Not  to  b©  found  fault  with  by  Man,  i.  27 

—  The  nobleft  of  all.  Studies,  ,,  5»  34> 

—  Nothing  in  all  its  Works  is  loft  or  defedive,  ^          5j'.  240 

—  Its  Depth  and  Mechanifm  hid  from  us,  ii*  3^'>  3^* 
^eedUy  its  Point  viewed  in  a  Microfcope,  i.  8 
hl^iy  (Birds)  perfe^  Similitude  in  all  thofe  of  the  fame   Species,  and 

Difference  between  thofe  of  various  Species,  ii.  159,  ^  Jeq.  Nefts 
built  in  an  Aviary,  1 60.  The   Purveyors,  ibid.  Expedient  when  a 
Bird  wanted  Materials  for  building  one,  161.  Nefts  of  various  Sorts,  1 6a 
Itghtingak,  his  exquifite  Mufic,  ii.  186.  Delightful  to  hear  him  after 
a  Number  of  Birds  have  been  fm&ing  in  Chorui.     The  various  Mo- 
dulations of  his  delicious  Pipe,,  ^187 
Jympby  of  Infeds,  what,                                                             ^       i«  18 
Defcription  of  it,                                                                *•  34»  4^ 

—  Thofe  that  arife  from  Wafps-,  »•  79 


^Cean,    fillM    with   innumerable    Inhabitants,    Part  ii.   Page   224. 

^  Wonders  in  the  Nature  of  its  Waters,.  225,  A  religious  Reflec- 
tion *^^ 

yificb,  one  of  thelargeft  Birds  in  the  World,  ii.  184,  Great  Height 
Its  Form.  Its  Eggs  as  big  as  an  Infant's  Head,  ibid.  Negledt  their 
Eggs,  ibid.  Their  Stupidity  when  purfued.  Swallow  Iron.  Ufes  of 
their  Feathers,  85 

Oyftersy  thofe  the  mo  ft  delicate,  which  have  feweft  Pearls,         1.  152 

^Petrified,  found  in  a  Mountain,  i.  153,  How  carried  up  by  the  Sea > 
154,  At  i\>^  time  of  the  general  Flood,  tbiii 


INDEX. 


'pjhn-'wJ»e  extraded   from  a  Tre?,  by  a  little  Reed,  Part   ii.    Page 

271, 

Peacock,  the  fame  to  the  Eye  as  the  Nightingale  to  the  Ear,  ii.  187. 
Extracrdinary  Beauty  of  his  Plumage,    188.  Perfeaions,  /^/^. 

Pearls,  in  Oyfters,  probably  owe  their  Formation  to  Oyfters  having  the 
Gravel,  j.   150 

Pea/ants,  the  great  Benefit  Mankind  reap  from  them,  ii.  161,  Their; 
Elcgium,  313,    ©'^. 

Pbilofophers,  cannot  be  too  plain  in  their  Applications,  "ii.  284 

Plains   in  AJrica)  900  Miks  from    the  Sea,  full  of  Shells,       i.  154 

Plants,  ii.  247,  Thefe  are  a  Species  of  Animals,  248,  Their  Origin 
from  Seeds,  ibid.  The  Earth  cannot  foim  an  organized  Body,  ibid, 
249.  Miliions  of  Seeds  inclofed  one  in  the  other,  250.  Seeds  of 
Plants,  their  Figure,  &c.  251.  Different  Situation,  ibid.  Every 
Seed  has  its  Bag,  &c.  252,  253.  Lobes  of  the  Seed.  The  Buc^ 
Pedicle^  or  Tail  of  the  Seed.  Stock  or  Body  of  the  Plant.  Seminal 
Leaves,  ibid.  Root,  Defcription  of  it,  ibid.  254.  The  Pith, 
^hat,  ibid.  The  Wood,  ibid.  Bark,  itconfiftsof  three  Parts,  255. 
5ap,  VefTcls,  256.  Air  Vents,  ibid.  The  Knots.  257.  Fibres 
pf  Roots,  ibid.  Slips,  Layers,  and  Shoots,  258.  Head  of  the  Plant, 
ibid.  Direction  of  the  Stem  and  Root,  261.  When  Plants  root 
upwards,  262.  Their  prodigious  Fecundity,  275,  276.  Male  and 
Female,  exemplified  in  Hemp,  281 

Pleafurei  (modifli  ones)  very  trifling.  i.     2 

Porcupine  larger  than  a  Hedgehog.  His  Ma-nner  of  encountring  an 
Enemy,  ii.  215 

Prcyidence^  the  Creation  of  noxious  wild  Beads  very  reconcilable  with 
^^>  ii.  204. 

— —  remarkable  in  the  Diftribution  of  Filh  in  different  Parts  of  the 
Ocean,  ii.  226,  227. 

PutrifaEiion,  what^  i.   i 

•— .  That  it  does  not  produce  any  Animal,  proved  by  an  Experi 
ment,  j,   i 


fXUaUs,    their  Progrefs  from  j^rica  to  Europe,  Part  ii.  Page  i^i 

R 

'^Eafon,  its   Bounds,  Part  ii.  Page  310.     May  be  degraded  by   the 

Vanities  of  the  Age.  Our  Inquiries  fometimes  carried  too  far,  ibid, 

311,  &c.    The  great  Advantage  of  Reafon,    314.     Its  Excellency, 

3^5*  3'6.    An  adlive  and  fruitful  Principle,   316.     Its   Motions  on 

various  Occaiions,     316,  317.     Impoflible  topurfueit  through  all  its 

Wonders,  317.    Confufion  that   would  arife  in  the  World  from  the 

want  of   it,    318.     It   renders    Man  the    Centre  of  the    Creatures 

that    furround  him.  319' 

KefurreSiion,  an  agreeable  Image  of  ours  from  that  of  Butter -flies,  i.  34 

Rbubarby  The  Root  of  a  fmal]  Tree  that  grows  in  Ma^  ii.  29  f 


INDEX. 

s 

Ak  in  Plants,  Part  il.  Page  290 

*     Salt,  great  Ufes  of  it,  ii.  227 

ap  in  Plants  ;  an  Inquiry  into  its  Progrefsand  Circulation,  ii.  259,err, 
cent  of  Fruits   and  Flowers.     Its  Origin,  ii.  267, 

ceptici,    the  Danger  of   them,    ii.   511.    How  introduced   fpeaking, 
320,  &c.  Another  fort  of  Men  too  prefumptucus,  ibid, 

etd,  (Lettuce)   Experiment  of  fome  fowed,  and  placed  under  the  Re- 
ceiver of  an  Air-pump,  li.  272 
eedi,  innumerable  in  a  young  Elm,  "•  2-75 
'epulchres,  which  Infeds  build  for  themfelves,  i»   17 
htlls,  a  fine  Account  of  the  Formation  of  that  which  covers   a  Snail, 
i.   145,  &  feq.  The  Original  of  thole  admirable  Streaks  and  Clouds, 
vifible  on  the  Shells  of  Snails,  and  the  Generality  of  teflaceous  Ani- 
mals,  1/L7,  (^  feq^  The  Tumours  and  Inequalities  of  Shells   curi- 
oufly  accounted  for,  149,  &  feq.  The  Shell   of  Crabs,   151,  (^  feq* 
The  Richnefs   and  Variety  of  Colours    in    Shells,    152,  The  fine 
Works   formed  out   of  Shells,   153.      Whole   Plains  of   Shells    in 
Africa,  above  300  Leagues  from  the  Sea,    154.     Heaps   of   them 
piled  up  on  the  Tops  of  the  Alpes,  ibid.     Conveyed  to  thofe  Places 
by  the  Deluge,        ^  ^b{d. 
Silk,  how  wound   off,                                                         -               ^;  45 
Silkivorms,                                                                                           ^          !•  39 
~- —  Two  Methods  of  rearing  them,    abroad  or  at  home,  i«  4-0'     ^^ 
what  manner  their  Eggs  are  difpofed  on  Mulberry-Trees,  ibid.  The 
Worms  break  their  Shells,  and  fpread  over  the  Verdure,             ibid. 

-  Method  of  rearing  them  at  home,  ^  \  4^ 
— ~  Their  Suftenance,  Mulberry  Leaves,  \,  ibid* 
,  How  preferved  from  Diftempers,  .  ^•.  4* 
— —  Cleanlinefs  and  good  Air  very  neceffary  to  their  Welfare,^  i.  ibid. 

Their  different  Stages,  ^  ibid, 

Build  a  Cell  of  aravifhing  Strudure,  i-  43 • 

Anatomy  of  the  Infea,  ibid.  &  feq, 

-  Its  Inteftines,  and  Bag  of  Gum,  i*  44* 

■  Manner  of  fpinning.     The  Thread  form'd  of  a  Gum,  ibid,   45 

— -  Cones,  or  Habitations,  in  which  Silkworms    wrap  themfelves, 

defcribed,  i*.  4^ 

— —  How  they  raife  them,  Jb^d, 

— -  Have  three  intirely  different  Coverings,  i.  47 

-  Chan^-e  into  Butterflies.   What  becomes  of  them,  i.  48 

■  Sometimes  lay  above  500  Eggs,  i*  49 

Sleep,  Various  Species  of  Birds,  Reptiles,  and  Infers,  flcep  for  feveral 

Months  together,  ^'3^ 

Snails.     Story  of  one  who  Hole  into  a  Bee-hive,  where  it  was  killed, 

i.  lor 

Its  Manfion.     Advantage  of  it.     Retreaf.     Its   four  Teiefcopes, 

or  Horns,  i,  142,  143.  How  enabled  to  move,  ibid,  Glew,  great 
Ufes  of  it,  144.  Teeth,  ibid.  Their  Procreation.  Are  all  Her- 
maphrodites. Their  Eggs,  I4S*  -''hell  or  Houfe,  how  form'd, 
A  Succefiion  of  thefe,  ibid.  Experiment  by  breaking  one  of  the 
Shells,  146.  Another  Experiment,  tbid,  14.7'  Caufe  of  the  Spots 
in  Shells,  ibid,  148,    Tumours  and  Inequalities  of  the  Shells,  149 

SpiderSp 


INDEX. 

Bpideriy  1.  53.  Five  Sorts  of  them,;  r- 

— -  Their  Fore-part,  /^/^J 

Eyes,  (generally  eight)  Stings,  (two)  whence  they  cje^  a veiy 

ftrong  Poiibn,  i,  ^3 

. Legs,  (eight  in  Number)    Claws,  three,   Sponges,  ibid.   Arms, 

Thread,  5^ 

—  Web,   -Defcrilition  of  it,   i.  ibid.    Strufture   of  the  Web  of  an 
Houfe-Spider,  much  after  the  fame  manner  as  a  Weaver  makes  his  \ 
CJoth,   60.     Her  Lodge,  6j  ] 

—  Their  manner  of  cleaning  it,  ibid*  Old  Spiders,  how  they 
fubfift,  62 

tSpiders,  (Garden)  how  they  fpafs  from  Branch  to  Branch,  i.  ibid. 
The  curious  Manner  in  which  ihe  forms  and  weaves  her  Thread, 
62,  63.  The  Wind  not  injurious  to   her  Web,  and  for  what  Rea- 

Spiders,  (black)  their  ufual  Place  of  Abode,  and  the  Method  in 
which  they  there  diftribute  their  Threads  for  f^irprifin^  their  Prey, 
ibid»     Their  Malignancy  and  Strength.  ibid. 

Spiders  (wandering)  are  of  various  Colours  atid  Sorts,  and  generally 
run  and  leap,  ibid.  Another  Species  of  them  more  Angular  than  the 
reft,  who  extend  their  Threads  along  the  Grafs  in  Meadows,  65. 
Exhibit  a  Pidure  of  great  Profperity,  ibid. 

Spiders  (Field)  the  Ufe  of  her  long  Legs,  i.  ibid. 

—  Eggs  of  Spiders,  how  difpofed,  i.  ibid.  The  Solicitude  of  thofe 
Animals  for  the  Prefervation  of  their  Eggs,  ibid.  66. 

—  Some  carry  their  Young  on  their  Backs,  i.  ibid. 

—  Others  lay  their  Eggs  in  a  Purfe.  Their  great  Care  of  their 
Young,  i.  67. 

Stars,  Folly  of  afcribing   Good  and  Evil  to  them,  ii.  300 

Stork,  feeds  her  Young  with  Adders,  &c.  ii.    180, 

Sugar,  what,  ii.  289, 

Sugar-cane,  how  they  /hoot,  ibid. 

SwaUow,  its  Neft,  ii.    162.    Differs  intirely  from  thofe  of  all  other 

— —  how  they  pafs  their  Winter,  ji.  195, 

Sloans,  &c.  how  they  get  their  Food,  ii.  180 

^^h^h  ii.  304 

T 
^Arantula,   very  like  a  Houfe-Spider.    Strange    Effeas  of  its  Poi- 
^«n.  Part.  i.  Page  68 

—  Its  Bite  how  cured,  ;^/^, 

T'ea,  the  Leaf  of  a  Tree  that  grows  in  China,  ii,  202 

^biftle,  (Milk)  ii.  271 

^Titmoufe,  its  Neft,  ii.   162 

Tortoife,  an  amphibious   Animal,  does  not  fwim,  but  crawl,   ii.  238. 
Four  or  five  Species  of  thefe  Creatures.     The  Turtle  defcribed,    the 
Carret.    Its  Shell  very    beautiful,  ibid.     How    they  get  their  Food 
on  watry   Meadows,2  39    .     Lay  their  Eggs    in  the   Sand,   ibid. 
The  young  ones  rife  out  of  it,  ibid. 

^"^'>>  ii.  27S 

Turky-hen,   great  Care  of  her  Young,  and  deep  Anxiety  at  the  far 
diftant    Flight  of  a  Bird  of  Prey,   ii.   170.    Refleaions  on  this 

ibidt  and  171 


INDEX. 

■trnfokf  particularly   defcribed,  ii.  2;$ 

jAnilhy  a  Shell  filled  with  a  lufcious  Juice,  Part  ii.  Page  294. 

Vents,  a  Set  of  Windpipes  in  Plants,  ii.   25-6 

erdure,  its   Beauty,  ^  ii*  32a 

trtaes,  the  Bees  confpicuous  for  feveral,  U  106.  In  which  they  (hame 
Mankind,  ^  '^/<^ 

nderftandingf    why   fo  fmall  a  Portion  has  been  indulged  to  us,   ii. 

mcoffj,  chimerical  Animal,  ii.  242 

W 
I^Afps,  Part  i.  Page  70.     Of   three   Kinds,    72.     Have    three 
Sorts  of  Occupations,  73 

—  Their  Hive  ;  Structure  of  it,  i.  ibid, 

—  Their  Tools,  i.  ibid*  Materials  of  the  Neft,  ibid*  Manner  ^of 
building  it,  74.  The  grand  Cupola,  Columns,  ibid.  Doors,  Stories, 
eleven  in  Number,  75,  Cells,  fome  fpacious,  others  contraded, 
for  the  laying  up  of  Eggs,  ibid.  Cells  all  built  in  an  hexagonal 
Form,   76.    Places  where  they  choofe  to  inhabit,  ibid, 

—  Their  Vifits  not  difagreeable  to  Butchers,  becaufe  they  keep 
the  Flies  from  Meat,  i.  77 

—  Neat,  but  cruel  and  rapacious.  Comparifon  of  them  with  fome 
Men,  !•  ibid,  and  78 

—  In  what  Manner  they  rife  from  Nympbs,  i*  79 

—  Female  treated  by  the  Males  with  the  greateft  Refpeft,  i.  8o, 
Are  vaftly  laborious,  ibid.  Their  Severity  in  deftroying  the  whole 
Offspring,  ibid.  How  they  fpend  the  Winter,  81.  Prodigious  Fe- 
cundity of  the  Female  Wafp,  ibid*  Some  build  their  Nefts  on  the 
Branches  of  Trees,  others  under  a  Roof,  or  in  a  Pile  of  Timber 
82.    Their  Stings,  ibid^ 

'^ax,  (Bees)  of  two  Sorts,  i.  100 

— •  Its  great  Ufes  to  the  Bee  j  where  gathered,  how  made,  Oeconomy 

of  the   BttSf  u  102,  ^  feq, 

—  To  what  Ufes  capable  of  being  applied,  i.  1 12 
^•^ebsy  thofe  built  by  Spiders  to  Jay  their  Eggs  in,  vaftly  ftrong,  i.  67 
^hak,    its  ftupendous  Size,    ii.  24.2.     Valt  Quantities  of  its  Oil,  and 

its  Ufes.     Whalebone  is  made  of  the  Tufhes  of  a  Whale  fplit  into 

fmall  Divifions,  243 

^ifdom  of  God,  confpicuous  in  afingle  Flower,  ii.  276 

Woodpeckers^  Defcription  of  them,  ii.  J 78.    How  they  get  their  Food, 

ibid,  and  179 
^omen,  not  educated  in  a  proper  manner,  ii.  181.  The  frivolous  Sub- 
je£ls  with  which  the  Men  entertain  them,  ibid.     Greet  Numbers  of 
Women  have  very  fine  Underltandings,  182 

^ork,   the  Defign  of  it,  i.  3 

^orks,  thofe  of  Nature  perfe£^,  thofe  of  Man  coarfe  and  rough,  i.  3 
^orms,  their  Stru6lure,  i.  4 

—  The  particular  Covering  they  weave  themfelves,  31 

JOuth,    a  very    agreeable    Method  of  inftrufting    them  in  Natural 
Philofophy,  i.  54i  ^M. 

FINIS. 


BOOKS  printed  for  C.  Davis  in  Pater-nofter-Row 

THE  Chara£lers  andProperties  of  true  Charity  difplay'd 
Tranflated  from  the  French,  N.B,  This  Book  is  re 
commended  by  the  Author  of  SfeSiacle  de  la  "Nature, 

2.  Diciionariu7n  Domejiicum,  being  a  new  and  completi; 
Houihold  Didionary,  for  the  Ufe  both  of  City  and  Coum 
try.  Shewing,  i.  The  whole  Arts  of  Brewing,  Cookery 
and  Pickling.  Alfo  Confe^lionary  in  its  feveral  Branches 
2.  The  Managementof  the  Kitchen,  Pantry,  Larder,  Dairy 
Olitory,  and  Pouhry . With  the  proper  Seafons  for  Flefh,  Fowl 
and  Fi(h.  3,  The  Herdfman  :  Giving  an  Account  of  theDif 
eafcs  of  Cattle,  Poultry,  ^c,  and  the  moft  approved  Remedie 
for  their  Cure.  4. The  Englijh  Vineyard  :  Being  the  bell  Mej 
thod  of  making  Englijh  Wines,  and  of  diflilling  moil  Kind; 
of  Simple  and  Compound  Cordial  Waters.  5.  The  Apiary 
Or,  The  manner  of  breeding,  hiving,  and  managing  of  Bees 
6.  The  Family  Phyfician  and  Herbalift.  Containing  thi 
choiceft  Colleaion  of  Receipts  for  moft  Diftempers  iticidenj 
to  human  Bodies,  hitherto  made  publick,  with  the  Qualitid 
and  Ufes  of  Phyfical  Herbs  and  Plants  of  £»^/i^  Growth] 
By  iV.  Bailey  y  Author  of  the  Univerfal  Etymological  Englijl 
Didlionary. 

3.  The  Life  of  the  Rev,  Dr.  John  Barwoid,  D.D.  fome- 
time  Fellow  of  St.  John's  College  in  Cambridge ;  and  imme- 
diately after  the  Reiloration  fucceifively  Dean  of  Durhan 
and  St.  ?auV%.  Written  in  Latin  by  his  Brother  Dr.  ?ete\ 
Bar^jjtck,  formerly  Fellow  of  the  fame  College,  and  after 
wards  Phyfician  in  Ordinary  to  K.  Charles  11.  Tranflated  intc 
Englijh  by  the  Editor  of  the  Latin  Life.  With  fome  Notes  ti 
illuftrate  theHiftory,  and  a  brief  Account  of  the  Author.  Tc 
which  are  added,  An  Appendix  of  Letters  from  K.  Charles  I 
in  his  Confinement,  and  K.  Charles  IL  and  the  Earl  of  Cla- 
rendon^m  their  Exile ;  and  other  Papers  relating  to  the  Hiftorj 
of  that  Time,  publifli'd  from  the  Originals  in  St.  John^  CoL 
lege  Library. 

4.  A  Treatife  of  the  Foffil,  Vegetable,  ind  Animal  Sub 
fiances,  that  are  made  ufe  of  in  Phyfic.  Containing  th<| 
Hiftory  and  Defcription  of  them  ;  with  an  Account  of  theL 
feveral  Virtues  and  Preparations.  To  which  is  prefixed,  Ar 
Inquiry  into  the  conftituent  Principles  of  Mix'd  Bodies,  and 
the  proper  Methods  of  difcovering  the  Nature  of  Medicines, 
By  the  late  Steph,  Fr.  Geoffry,  M.  D.  Chemical  ProfeiTorii! 
the  Royal  Garden,  Member  of  the  Royal  Academy  of  Sci- 
ences, and  F.  R.  S.  Tranflated  from  a  Manufcript  Copy  ol 
the  Author's  Leftures,  read  at  Faru.  By  G.  Doughs,  M.  D 


DATE  DUE 

nrr  «  a  1996 

-r    ^}l:    Ul^ 

/\i)n  1  i»  1999 

^^^  U  1   ,i,3. 

AUG  D  3  2000 

OCT  2  8  2003 

m  1 S  2011 

iiiMt5  2fm 

DEMCO,  INC.  38-2971 

. 

BRIGHAM  YOUNG  UNIVERSITY 


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